Air conditioner and method of controlling the same

ABSTRACT

An air conditioner includes a housing having a suction port and a discharge port, a main fan configured to draw air into the housing through the suction port and discharge air from the housing through the discharge port, an auxiliary fan configured to draw, into the housing, air discharged by the main fan and a controller configured to control a rotational speed of the auxiliary fan to change a direction in which air is discharged from the housing.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the priority benefit of Korean PatentApplication Nos. 10-2015-0138017 filed on Sep. 30, 2015, 10-2015-0147676filed on Oct. 23, 2015, 10-2015-0147677 filed on Oct. 23, 2015,10-2015-0147732 filed on Oct. 23, 2015, and 10-2016-0036177 filed onMar. 25, 2016 in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, thedisclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

The following description relates to an air conditioner and a method ofcontrolling the same for controlling a discharged airflow for eachoperation mode.

2. Description of the Related Art

Generally, an air conditioner is an apparatus that uses transfer of heatgenerated in a process of evaporating and condensing refrigerant tocool, heat, or purify drawn air and discharge the air in order tocondition air of an indoor space.

The air conditioner performs a cooling operation of discharging indoorheat to the outside in summer and performs a heating operation of a heatpump that circulates refrigerant in the opposite way from that of acooling cycle to supply heat indoors in winter.

When performing the cooling operation or the heating operation, the airconditioner rotates a fan provided near an indoor heat exchanger to drawindoor air, heat-exchanges the drawn air in the indoor heat exchanger,and discharges the heat-exchanged air to the indoor space whileoperating a blade provided at a discharge portion to adjust a directionof the discharged airflow in order to condition the air of the indoorspace.

SUMMARY

Additional aspects and/or advantages will be set forth in part in thedescription which follows and, in part, will be apparent from thedescription, or may be learned by practice of the disclosure.

It is an aspect of the present disclosure to provide an air conditionerand a method of controlling the same in which a revolution per minute(RPM) of each of a plurality of fans is controlled based on airflowspeed information and airflow direction information.

It is an aspect of the present disclosure to provide an air conditionerand a method of controlling the same in which an RPM of each of aplurality of fans is controlled based on a normal mode, a high speedmode, or a defrosting mode.

It is an aspect of the present disclosure to provide an air conditionerand a method of controlling the same for controlling an RPM of a fanbased on whether dust is detected or a person is detected at asuctioning side.

It is an aspect of the present disclosure to provide an air conditionerand a method of controlling the same in which opening and closing of aflow passage is controlled for repeating heat exchange or discharge ofair being discharged.

It is an aspect of the present disclosure to control an airflowdischarged from an indoor unit of an air conditioner to anair-conditioned space in various forms.

It is an aspect of the present disclosure to control an airflowdischarged from an indoor unit to circulate such that an effect ofrotating the indoor unit may be achieved even without rotating theindoor unit.

It is an aspect of the present disclosure to provide an air conditionercapable of firmly fixing a display unit to a housing.

It is an aspect of the present disclosure to provide an air conditionercapable of firmly fixing a display unit to a housing using the fewestpossible number of separate fixing members.

It is an aspect of the present disclosure to provide an air conditionercapable of facilitating maintenance and repair of a display unit byallowing the display unit to be easily detached from a housing.

It is an aspect of the present disclosure to provide an air conditionercapable of controlling an airflow direction without a blade.

It is an aspect of the present disclosure to provide a method ofcontrolling an air conditioner capable of visually expressing an airflowdirection of an air conditioner without a blade.

It is an aspect of the present disclosure to provide an air conditionerand a method of controlling the same in which a visually expressedairflow direction may be checked in accordance with a user'smanipulation.

It is an aspect of the present disclosure to provide an air conditionerand a method of controlling the same capable of visually expressing notonly the direction of an airflow but also the strength of the airflowand an operation state, etc.

According to an aspect, an air conditioner includes an outdoor unit andan indoor unit, wherein the indoor unit includes a housing having asuction portion and a discharge portion, a heat exchanger disposed inthe housing and configured to exchange heat with surrounding air, a mainfan to draw air of an indoor space through the suction portion and todischarge the air heat-exchanged in the heat exchanger through thedischarge portion, an auxiliary fan to draw some of the air dischargedthrough the discharge portion, a flow passage portion to guide flow ofthe air drawn by the auxiliary fan, and a control unit to controlrevolution per minute (RPM) of the auxiliary fan based on RPM of themain fan so that the direction of the airflow discharged through thedischarge portion is adjusted.

According to the aspect, the air conditioner may further include a caseto accommodate the auxiliary fan, and the flow passage portion mayinclude an inlet portion through which air is introduced by theauxiliary fan, an outlet portion through which the introduced air isdischarged to the outside, and a flow passage connected to the case andconfigured to guide the air introduced through the inlet portion to theoutlet portion.

According to the aspect, the air conditioner may further include aninput unit to receive at least one piece of information on airflow speedand information on airflow direction, and the control unit may includecontrolling the RPM of the main fan based on the information on airflowspeed and controlling the RPM of the auxiliary fan based on the RPM ofthe main fan and the information on airflow direction.

According to the aspect, when a high speed mode is received, the controlunit of the air conditioner may include controlling the RPM of the mainfan to be a preset RPM and controlling the RPM of the auxiliary fan tobe cyclically changed.

According to the aspect, the air conditioner may further include anindoor temperature detection unit to detect the temperature of an indoorspace, and the control unit may include controlling the RPM of theauxiliary fan to be a preset RPM when the temperature of the indoorspace is a target temperature.

According to the aspect, the air conditioner may further include adetection unit to detect a human boy, and when the high speed mode isreceived, the control unit may include controlling the RPM of the mainfan to be a preset RPM, checking the position of the human body based onthe detected information on the human body, and controlling the RPM ofthe auxiliary fan based on the checked position and the RPM of the mainfan.

According to the aspect, when the operation mode is the heatingoperation, the control unit of the air conditioner may includedetermining a start point of a defrosting operation, controlling themain fan to be stopped when the start point of the defrosting operationis reached, and controlling the RPM of the auxiliary fan to be a presetRPM.

According to the aspect, when the operation mode is the heatingoperation, the control unit of the air conditioner may includedetermining the start point of the defrosting operation, controlling themain fan to be stopped when the start point of the defrosting operationis reached, and controlling the RPM of the auxiliary fan based on theRPM of the main fan during the heating operation.

According to the aspect, the air conditioner may further include afilter portion disposed at the suction portion and a dust detection unitto detect an amount of dust in the filter portion, and the control unitmay include controlling the RPM of the auxiliary fan to be compensatedbased on the amount of dust in the filter portion.

According to the aspect, the air conditioner may further include a firstmotor to apply a driving force to the main fan and a current detectionunit to detect a current of the first motor, and the control unit mayinclude controlling the RPM of the auxiliary fan to be compensated basedon the detected current.

According to the aspect, the air conditioner may further include thefirst motor to apply a driving force to the main fan, and the controlunit may include controlling the RPM of the auxiliary fan to becompensated based on a first duty ratio for rotating the first motor bythe maximum RPM and a second duty ratio for rotating the first motor bythe maximum RPM during the operation.

According to the aspect, the air conditioner may further include thecase to accommodate the auxiliary fan, and the flow passage portion mayinclude the inlet portion through which air is introduced by theauxiliary fan, a first outlet portion disposed at a side of thedischarge portion and configured to discharge the introduced air to theoutside, a second outlet portion disposed at a side of the heatexchanger and configured to discharge the introduced air to the heatexchanger, a flow passage connected to the case and configured to guidethe air introduced through the inlet portion to the first outlet portionor the second outlet portion, a first opening-and-closing memberdisposed in the flow passage to open and close the first outlet portion,and a second opening-and-closing member disposed in the flow passage toopen and close the second outlet portion.

According to the aspect, the control unit of the air conditioner mayinclude controlling the first opening-and-closing member to be open andthe second opening-and-closing member to be closed when the working modeis the normal mode and controlling the first opening-and-closing memberto be closed and the second opening-and-closing member to be open whenthe working mode is the high speed mode.

According to the aspect, the control unit of the air conditioner mayinclude controlling the RPM of the auxiliary fan to be compensated whenthe working mode is the high speed mode.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, an air conditionerincludes an outdoor unit and an indoor unit, wherein the indoor unitincludes a housing having a suction portion and a discharge portion, aheat exchanger disposed in the housing and configured to exchange heatwith surrounding air, a main fan to draw air of an indoor space throughthe suction portion and to discharge the heat-exchanged air in the heatexchanger through the discharge portion, an auxiliary fan to draw someof the air discharged through the discharge portion, a flow passageportion having an inlet portion disposed adjacent to the dischargeportion, a first outlet portion disposed adjacent to the heat exchanger,and a second outlet portion disposed adjacent to the discharge portion,and configured to guide the air introduced through the inlet portion tothe first outlet portion or the second outlet portion, and a controlunit to control RPM of the auxiliary fan based on RPM of the main fan sothat the direction of the airflow discharged through the dischargeportion is adjusted and to control the first outlet portion and thesecond outlet portion to be open and closed based on the working mode.

According to the aspect, the flow passage portion of the air conditionermay include a flow passage to connect the inlet portion, the firstoutlet portion, and the second outlet portion, a firstopening-and-closing member disposed in the flow passage to open andclose the first outlet portion, and a second opening-and-closing memberdisposed in the flow passage to open and close the second outletportion.

According to the aspect, the control unit of the air conditioner mayinclude controlling the first opening-and-closing member to be open andthe second opening-and-closing member to be closed when the working modeis the normal mode and controlling the first opening-and-closing memberto be closed and the second opening-and-closing member to be open whenthe working mode is the high speed mode.

According to an aspect, an air conditioner includes an outdoor unit andan indoor unit, wherein the indoor unit includes a housing having asuction portion and a discharge portion, a heat exchanger disposed inthe housing and configured to exchange heat with surrounding air, a mainfan to draw air of an indoor space through the suction portion and todischarge the air heat-exchanged in the heat exchanger through thedischarge portion, an auxiliary fan to draw some of the air dischargedthrough the discharge portion, a flow passage portion to guide a flow ofthe air drawn by the auxiliary fan, an indoor temperature detection unitto detect the temperature of an indoor space, and a control unit tocontrol RPM of the main fan to be a preset RPM and control RPM of theauxiliary fan to be cyclically changed when the working mode is the highspeed mode and to control the RPM of the auxiliary fan to be maintainedat a preset RPM when the temperature of the indoor space is a targettemperature.

According to the aspect, when controlling the RPM of the auxiliary fanto be cyclically changed, the control unit of the air conditioner mayinclude controlling the auxiliary fan to be cyclically turned on andoff.

According to an aspect, a method of controlling an air conditionerhaving an outdoor unit and an indoor unit includes operating acompressor disposed in the outdoor unit when an operation command isinput, rotating a main fan disposed in the indoor unit, and operating anauxiliary fan disposed in the indoor unit based on the RPM of the mainfan, wherein the operating of the auxiliary fan may include suctioningin some of the discharged air so that the direction of air dischargedthrough a discharge portion of the indoor unit is adjusted.

According to the aspect, the method of controlling the air conditionermay further include controlling the RPM of the main fan based oninformation on airflow speed when at least one piece of the informationon airflow speed and information on airflow direction is input andcontrolling the RPM of the auxiliary fan based on the RPM of the mainfan and the information on airflow direction.

According to the aspect, the method of controlling the air conditionermay further include controlling the RPM of the main fan to be a presetRPM and controlling the RPM of the auxiliary fan to be cyclicallychanged when the working mode is the high speed mode and controlling theRPM of the auxiliary fan to be a preset RPM when the temperature of anindoor space is a target temperature.

According to the aspect, the method of controlling the air conditionermay further include controlling the RPM of the main fan to be a presetRPM when the working mode is the high speed mode, detecting a human bodyin the indoor space, and controlling the RPM of the auxiliary fan basedon the detected position of the human body and the RPM of the main fan.

According to the aspect, the method of controlling the air conditionermay further include determining a start point of a defrosting operationwhen an operation mode is a heating operation, controlling the main fanto be stopped when the current time point is the start point of thedefrosting operation, and controlling the RPM of the auxiliary fan to bea preset RPM. The determining of the start point of the defrostingoperation may include determining the start point of the defrostingoperation based on the temperature of an outdoor heat exchanger disposedin the outdoor unit and the outdoor temperature.

According to the aspect, the method of controlling the air conditionermay further include determining an end point of the defrosting operationduring a defrosting operation and controlling the main fan and theauxiliary fan to be stopped when the current time point is the end pointof the defrosting operation. The determining of the end point of thedefrosting operation may include determining the end point of thedefrosting operation based on the temperature of the outdoor heatexchanger disposed in the outdoor unit and the outdoor temperature. Thedetermining of the end point of the defrosting operation may includedetermining the end point of the defrosting operation based on the timeduration of the defrosting operation.

According to the aspect, the method of controlling the air conditionermay further include detecting an amount of dust in a filter portiondisposed at a suction portion of the indoor unit and controlling the RPMof the auxiliary fan to be compensated based on the amount of dust inthe filter portion.

According to the aspect, the method of controlling the air conditionermay further include checking the output of a first motor that applies adriving force to the main fan and controlling the RPM of the auxiliaryfan to be compensated based on the checked output of the first motor.

According to the aspect, the method of controlling the air conditionermay further include checking the current of the first motor that appliesa driving force to the main fan and controlling the RPM of the auxiliaryfan to be compensated based on the checked current of the first motor.

According to the aspect, the method of controlling the air conditionermay include guiding the air drawn by the auxiliary fan toward thedischarge portion of the indoor unit when the working mode is the normalmode and guiding the air drawn by the auxiliary fan toward the heatexchanger of the indoor unit when the working mode is the high speedmode.

According to the aspect, the method of controlling the air conditionermay include controlling the RPM of the auxiliary fan to be compensatedbased on the number of rotation of the main fan when the working mode isthe high speed mode.

According to an aspect, an air conditioner includes a housing having asuction portion and a plurality of discharge portions, an airflowgeneration unit to generate a discharged airflow by discharging airdrawn through the suction portion through the plurality of dischargeportions, a plurality of airflow switching units disposed to change astate of the discharged airflow, and a control unit to control the stateof a discharged airflow generated from at least one of the plurality ofdischarge portions to be differentiated from the states of thedischarged airflows generated from remaining discharge portions whilecontrolling the plurality of airflow switching units such that aposition of the discharge portion from which the differentiateddischarged airflow is generated cycles among the plurality of dischargeportions.

According to the aspect, in the air conditioner, the plurality ofairflow switching units may be formed with a plurality of fans that drawsome of the air of the discharged airflows to change the direction ofthe discharged airflows.

According to the aspect, in the air conditioner, the controlling of theplurality of airflow switching units may be controlling the on/off stateof at least one of the plurality of fans to be differentiated from thatof each of the remaining fans.

According to the aspect, in the air conditioner, the controlling of theplurality of airflow switching units may control the RPM of at least oneof the plurality of fans to be differentiated from that of each of theremaining fans.

According to the aspect, in the air conditioner, the controlling of theplurality of airflow switching units is controlling the on/off state andthe RPM of at least one of the plurality of fans to be differentiatedfrom those of the remaining fans.

According to the aspect, in the air conditioner, the plurality ofairflow switching units may be a plurality of blades each installed atthe plurality of discharge portions to have angles thereof adjustedwithin a predetermined range between an open state and a closed state toswitch the direction of a discharged airflow in accordance with theadjusted angles.

According to the aspect, in the air conditioner, the controlling of theplurality of airflow switching units may be controlling the open/closedstate of at least one of the plurality of blades to be differentiatedfrom that of each of the remaining blades.

According to the aspect, in the air conditioner, the controlling of theplurality of airflow switching units may be controlling the fixed/swingstate of at least one of the plurality of blades to be differentiatedfrom that of each of the remaining blades.

According to the aspect, in the air conditioner, the controlling of theplurality of airflow switching units may be controlling the open/closedstate and the fixed/swing state of at least one of the plurality ofblades to be differentiated from those of each of the remaining blades.

According to the aspect, the air conditioner may further include a heatexchanger disposed in the housing to exchange heat with the air drawnthrough the suction portion, and the airflow generation unit may bedisposed to discharge the air heat-exchanged by the heat exchangerthrough the plurality of discharge portions.

According to an aspect, a method of controlling an air conditionerincludes generating a discharged airflow by discharging air drawnthrough a suction portion through a plurality of discharge portionsusing an airflow generation unit, changing the state of the dischargedairflow using a plurality of airflow switching units, and controllingthe state of a discharged airflow generated from at least one of theplurality of discharge portions to be differentiated from that of thedischarged airflows generated from each of the remaining dischargeportions while the plurality of airflow switching units are controlledsuch that a position of the discharge portion from which thedifferentiated discharged airflow is generated cycles among theplurality of discharge portions.

According to the aspect, in the method of controlling the airconditioner, the plurality of airflow switching units may be formed witha plurality of fans that change the direction of a discharged airflow bysuctioning in some of the air of the discharged airflow.

According to the aspect, in the method of controlling the airconditioner, the controlling of the plurality of airflow switching unitsmay be controlling the on/off state of at least one of the plurality offans to be differentiated from that of each of the remaining fans.

According to the aspect, in the method of controlling the airconditioner, the controlling of the plurality of airflow switching unitsmay be controlling RPM of at least one of the plurality of fans to bedifferentiated from that of each of the remaining fans.

According to the aspect, in the method of controlling the airconditioner, the controlling of the plurality of airflow switching unitsmay be controlling the on/off state and RPM of at least one of theplurality of fans to be differentiated from those of each of theremaining fans.

According to the aspect, in the method of controlling the airconditioner, the plurality of airflow switching units may be a pluralityof blades respectively installed at the plurality of discharge portionsto have angles thereof adjusted within a predetermined range between anopen state and a closed state to switch the direction of a dischargedairflow in accordance with the adjusted angles.

According to the aspect, in the method of controlling the airconditioner, the controlling of the plurality of airflow switching unitsmay be controlling the open/closed state of at least one of theplurality of blades to be differentiated from that of each of theremaining blades.

According to the aspect, in the method of controlling the airconditioner, the controlling of the plurality of airflow switching unitsmay be controlling the fixed/swing state of at least one of theplurality of blades to be differentiated from that of each of theremaining blades.

According to the aspect, in the method of controlling the airconditioner, the controlling of the plurality of airflow switching unitsmay be controlling the open/closed state and the fixed/swing state of atleast one of the plurality of blades to be differentiated from those ofeach of the remaining blades.

According to the aspect, the method of controlling the air conditionermay further include exchanging heat with the air drawn through thesuction portion by a heat exchanger, and the airflow generation unit maybe disposed to discharge the air heat-exchanged by the heat exchangerthrough the plurality of discharge portions.

According to an aspect, an air conditioner includes a housing having asuction portion and a plurality of discharge portions, a first fan togenerate a discharged airflow by discharging air drawn through thesuction portion through the plurality of discharge portions, a pluralityof second fans disposed to change the direction of the dischargedairflow discharged through the plurality of discharge portions bysuctioning in some of the air discharged through the plurality ofdischarge portions, and a control unit to control the direction of thedischarged airflow generated from at least one of the plurality ofdischarge portions to be differentiated from directions of dischargedairflows generated from the remaining discharge portions whilecontrolling the plurality of second fans such that the position of thedischarge portion from which the differentiated discharged airflow isgenerated cycles among the plurality of discharge portions.

According to an aspect, an air conditioner includes a housing having asuction portion and a plurality of discharge portions, a first fan togenerate a discharged airflow by discharging air drawn through thesuction portion through the plurality of discharge portions, a pluralityof blades disposed to change the direction of the discharged airflowdischarged through the plurality of discharge portions by suctioning insome of the air discharged through the plurality of discharge portions,and a control unit to control the direction of a discharged airflowgenerated from at least one of the plurality of discharge portions to bedifferentiated from the directions of discharged airflows generated fromthe remaining discharge portions while controlling the plurality ofblades such that the position of the discharge portion from which thedifferentiated discharged airflow is generated cycles among theplurality of discharge portions.

According to an aspect, a method of controlling an air conditionerincludes generating a discharged airflow by discharging air drawnthrough a suction portion through a plurality of discharge portionsusing an airflow generation unit, changing the state of the dischargedairflow using a plurality of airflow switching units, controlling theairflow generation unit and each of the plurality of airflow switchingunits to be in one preset state when in a first mode, and, when in asecond mode, controlling the state of a discharged airflow generatedfrom at least one of the plurality of discharge portions to bedifferentiated from that of the discharged airflows generated from theremaining discharge portions while the plurality of airflow switchingunits are controlled such that the position of a discharge portion fromwhich a differentiated discharged airflow is generated cycles among theplurality of discharge portions.

According to the aspect, in the method of controlling the airconditioner, the plurality of airflow switching units may be formed witha plurality of fans that change the direction of a discharged airflow bysuctioning in some of the air of the discharged airflow.

According to the aspect, in the method of controlling the airconditioner, the controlling of the plurality of airflow switching unitsmay be controlling the on/off state of at least one of the plurality offans to be differentiated from that of each of the remaining fans.

According to the aspect, in the method of controlling the airconditioner, the controlling of the plurality of airflow switching unitsmay be controlling RPM of at least one of the plurality of fans to bedifferentiated from that of each of the remaining fans.

According to the aspect, in the method of controlling the airconditioner, the controlling of the plurality of airflow switching unitsmay be controlling the on/off state and RPM of at least one of theplurality of fans to be differentiated from those of each of theremaining fans.

According to the aspect, in the method of controlling the airconditioner, the plurality of airflow switching units may be a pluralityof blades each installed at the plurality of discharge portions to haveangles thereof adjusted within a predetermined range between an openstate and a closed state to switch the direction of a discharged airflowin accordance with the adjusted angles.

According to the aspect, in the method of controlling the airconditioner, the controlling of the plurality of airflow switching unitsmay be controlling an open/closed state of at least one of the pluralityof blades to be differentiated from that of each of the remainingblades.

According to the aspect, in the method of controlling the airconditioner, the controlling of the plurality of airflow switching unitsmay be controlling a fixed/swing state of at least one of the pluralityof blades to be differentiated from that of each of the remainingblades.

According to the aspect, in the method of controlling the airconditioner, the controlling of the plurality of airflow switching unitsmay be controlling the open/closed state and the fixed/swing state of atleast one of the plurality of blades to be differentiated from those ofeach of the remaining blades.

According to the aspect, the method of controlling the air conditionermay further include exchanging heat with the air drawn through thesuction portion by a heat exchanger, and the airflow generation unit maybe disposed to discharge the air heat-exchanged by the heat exchangerthrough the plurality of discharge portions.

According to an aspect, an air conditioner includes a housing having asuction portion and a plurality of discharge portions, an airflowgeneration unit to generate a discharged airflow by discharging airdrawn through the suction portion through the plurality of dischargeportions, a plurality of airflow switching units disposed to change thedirection of the discharged airflow, and a control unit to control theairflow generation unit and the plurality of airflow switching units,wherein the control unit controls the airflow generation unit and eachof the plurality of airflow switching units to be in one preset statewhen in a first mode and controls the state of a discharged airflowgenerated from at least one of the plurality of discharge portions to bedifferentiated from the states of the discharged airflows generated fromthe remaining discharge portions while controlling the plurality ofairflow switching units such that the position of the discharge portionfrom which the differentiated discharged airflow is generated cyclesamong the plurality of discharge portions when in a second state.

According to an aspect, an air conditioner includes a housing supportedfrom a ceiling, a discharge cover disposed at a lower portion of thehousing and configured to form a suction port and a circular dischargeport disposed adjacent to the suction port, a heat exchanger disposed inthe housing, a main fan disposed to draw air through the suction port,pass the air through the heat exchanger to heat-exchange the air, anddischarge the heat-exchanged air through the discharge port, and adisplay unit disposed on the discharge port and configured to have oneportion thereof disposed at an upper portion of the discharge cover tobe supported by the discharge cover.

According to the aspect, the housing of the air conditioner may furtherinclude a bridge disposed adjacent to the discharge port and configuredto extend along the circumferential direction of the discharge port, andthe display unit may be disposed at a lower portion of the bridge.

According to the aspect, the display unit of the air conditioner mayinclude a display disposed at the lower portion of the bridge andconfigured to display information and a display cover disposed at alower portion of the display to encompass the lower portion of thedisplay and configured to have one portion disposed at the upper portionof the discharge cover to be supported by the discharge cover.

According to the aspect, the one portion of the display cover of the airconditioner may be formed in a shape corresponding to that of an outercircumferential surface of the discharge cover.

According to the aspect, a portion of the discharge cover that supportsthe display cover of the air conditioner may be formed to be bent towarda radial outer portion of the discharge port.

According to the aspect, a portion of the display cover of the airconditioner on which the display is seated may include a fixing groovein which the display is seated and fixed.

According to the aspect, from one portion of the display unit of the airconditioner, the other portion on opposite side may be fixed to thehousing by a fixing member.

According to the aspect, the other portion of the display unit of theair conditioner may be fixed to the housing by screw coupling.

According to the aspect, the other portion of the display unit of theair conditioner may be fixed to the housing by snap fitting.

According to the aspect, the discharge cover of the air conditioner maybe fixed to the housing.

According to the aspect, the air conditioner may further include anairflow control unit to draw air around the discharge port of the airconditioner to control an airflow of air discharged through thedischarge port, the airflow control unit may include an inlet to drawthe air around the discharge port and an outlet to discharge the airdrawn through the inlet, and the other portion of the display unit maybe inserted into one portion of the inlet and fixed by snap fitting.

According to the aspect, the housing of the air conditioner may includean upper housing, a middle housing disposed at a lower portion of theupper housing, and a lower housing disposed at a lower portion of themiddle housing, and the other portion of the display unit may be coupledto the lower housing and the middle housing by screw coupling.

According to the aspect, the display unit of the air conditioner mayinclude a curved guide surface portion to guide the air dischargedthrough the discharge port to be spread along the circumferentialdirection of the discharge port.

According to the aspect, the display unit of the air conditioner mayfurther include a communication unit capable of transmitting andreceiving information to and from an external device.

According to the aspect, the display unit of the air conditioner mayfurther include an input unit through which a user may input a command.

According to an aspect, an air conditioner may include an upper housingsupported from a ceiling, a lower housing disposed at a lower portion ofthe upper housing, a discharge cover disposed at a lower portion of thelower housing to form a suction port and a circular discharge portdisposed adjacent to the suction port together with the lower housing, aheat exchanger disposed in the upper housing, a main fan disposed todraw air through the suction port, pass the air through the heatexchanger to heat-exchange the air, and discharge the heat-exchanged airthrough the discharge port, and a display disposed on the discharge portand configured to display information, wherein a display cover extendingin the radial direction of the discharge port to surround a portion of alower portion of the display may be integrally formed with the dischargecover.

According to the aspect, the radial outer portion of the discharge portof the display cover of the air conditioner may be fixed to the lowerhousing by screw coupling.

According to the aspect, the radial outer portion of the discharge portof the display cover of the air conditioner may be fixed to the lowerhousing by snap fitting.

According to an aspect, an air conditioner includes a housing supportedfrom a ceiling, a discharge cover disposed at a lower portion of thehousing and configured to form a suction port and a circular dischargeport disposed adjacent to the suction port together with the housing, aheat exchanger disposed in the housing, a main fan disposed to draw airthrough the suction port, pass the air through the heat exchanger toheat-exchange the air, and discharge the heat-exchanged air through thedischarge port, and a display unit disposed on the discharge port andconfigured to display information, wherein one portion of the displayunit may be formed in a shape corresponding to that of the outercircumferential surface of the discharge cover to be supported by thedischarge cover, and the other portion of the display unit may be fixedto the lower portion of the housing by screw coupling.

According to the aspect, a portion of the outer circumferential surfaceof the discharge cover of the air conditioner may be formed to be bentto support the display unit.

According to an aspect, an air conditioner includes a housing configuredto form an exterior of an indoor unit and have a suction port and adischarge port, a heat exchanger disposed in the housing, a main fandisposed to draw air through the suction port, heat-exchange the drawnair in the heat exchanger, and discharge the heat-exchanged air throughthe discharge port, an auxiliary fan to draw air around the dischargeport to control a direction of a discharged airflow, and a control unitto display the direction of the discharged airflow through a displayportion.

According to the aspect, the control unit of the air conditioner mayfurther include controlling the driven speed of the auxiliary fan tocontrol the direction of the discharged airflow and displaying thecontrolled direction of the discharged airflow on the display portion.

According to the aspect, the display portion of the air conditioner maydisplay the direction of the discharged airflow using a plurality ofoptical patterns, and the control unit may selectively turn on theplurality of optical patterns to display the state in which thedirection of the discharged airflow is controlled to be vertical,horizontal, or in the middle.

According to the aspect, the optical patterns of the air conditioner mayinclude a plurality of light-emitting units formed in the shape of acircular band, and the plurality of light-emitting units may include afirst light-emitting unit to display a state in which the direction ofthe discharged airflow is controlled to be vertical, a secondlight-emitting unit to display a state in which the direction of thedischarged airflow is controlled to be horizontal, and a thirdlight-emitting unit to display a state in which the direction of thedischarged airflow is controlled to be in the middle which is the middlebetween the vertical airflow and the horizontal airflow.

According to the aspect, the optical patterns of the air conditioner mayinclude a plurality of light-emitting units formed in the shape of arod-like band, and the plurality of light-emitting units may include afirst light-emitting unit to display a state in which the direction ofthe discharged airflow is controlled to be vertical, a secondlight-emitting unit to display a state in which the direction of thedischarged airflow is controlled to be horizontal, and a thirdlight-emitting unit to display a state in which the direction of thedischarged airflow is controlled to be in the middle which is the middlebetween the vertical airflow and the horizontal airflow.

According to the aspect, the control unit of the air conditioner maysequentially turn on the first light-emitting unit to the thirdlight-emitting unit to display a state in which the direction of thedischarged airflow is controlled to be automatic.

According to the aspect, preferably, the air conditioner includes aplurality of discharge ports, and the display portion is disposed at atleast one of the plurality of discharge ports.

According to the aspect, the display portion of the air conditioner maybe disposed at one portion of the discharge port and may display thedirection of the discharged airflow using the plurality of opticalpatterns.

According to the aspect, the air conditioner may further include aninput device to input a user command for setting an operation of the airconditioner, and the control unit may control the driven speed of theauxiliary fan according to the set operation in order to control thedirection of the discharged airflow.

According to the aspect, the air conditioner may further include theinput device to input a user command for setting an operation of the airconditioner, and the control unit may change the direction of thedischarged airflow displayed on the display portion according to the setoperation.

According to the aspect, the air conditioner may further include theinput device to input a user command for setting an operation of the airconditioner, and the display portion may display the direction of thedischarged airflow changed according to the set operation.

According to the aspect, the control unit of the air conditioner mayfurther include controlling a driven speed of the main fan to controlthe strength of the discharged airflow and displaying the controlledstrength of the discharged airflow on the display portion.

According to the aspect, the display portion of the air conditioner maydisplay the strength of the discharged airflow using a plurality oflight sources, and the control unit may selectively turn on theplurality of light sources to display a state in which the strength ofthe discharged airflow is controlled to be strong, medium, or weak.

According to the aspect, the plurality of light sources of the airconditioner may form arc-shaped optical patterns.

According to the aspect, the plurality of light sources of the airconditioner may form optical patterns in the shape of a rod-like band.

According to the aspect, the air conditioner may further include theinput device to input a user command for setting an operation of the airconditioner, and the control unit may control the driven speed of themain fan according to the set operation in order to control the strengthof the discharged airflow.

According to the aspect, the air conditioner may further include theinput device to input a user command for setting an operation of the airconditioner, and the control unit may change the strength of thedischarged airflow displayed on the display portion according to the setoperation.

According to the aspect, the air conditioner may further include theinput device to input a user command for setting an operation of the airconditioner, and the display portion may display the strength of thedischarged airflow changed according to the set operation.

According to an aspect, a method of controlling an air conditioner thatincludes a housing having a suction port and a discharge port, a heatexchanger disposed in the housing, a main fan disposed to draw airthrough the suction port, heat-exchange the drawn air in the heatexchanger, and discharge the heat-exchanged air through the dischargeport, and an auxiliary fan to draw air around the discharge port tocontrol a direction of a discharged airflow, the method includingreceiving an operation command for setting a direction of a dischargedairflow, controlling the driven speed of the auxiliary fan according theinput operation command to control the direction of the dischargedairflow, and displaying the controlled direction of the dischargedairflow through a display portion.

According to the aspect, the method may further include receiving anoperation command for changing the direction of the discharged airflowand changing the direction of the discharged airflow displayed on thedisplay portion according to the input operation command.

According to the aspect, the displaying of the direction of thedischarged airflow of the method may be selectively turning on aplurality of optical patterns disposed on the discharge port to displaya state in which the direction of the discharged airflow is controlledto be vertical, horizontal, or in the middle.

According to the aspect, the method may further include receiving anoperation command for setting the strength of a discharged airflow,controlling a driven speed of the main fan according the input operationcommand to control the strength of the discharged airflow, anddisplaying the controlled strength of the discharged airflow on thedisplay portion.

According to the aspect, the method may further include receiving anoperation command for changing the strength of the discharged airflowand changing the strength of the discharged airflow displayed on thedisplay portion according to the input operation command.

According to the aspect, the displaying of the strength of thedischarged airflow of the method may be selectively turning on aplurality of light sources disposed on the discharge port to display astate in which the strength of the discharged airflow is controlled tobe strong, medium, or weak.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and/or other aspects of the present disclosure will becomeapparent and more readily appreciated from the following description ofthe embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings ofwhich:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a refrigeration cycle of an air conditionerthat performs a cooling operation and a heating operation;

FIG. 2 is an exemplary view of an indoor unit of an air conditioneraccording to an embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a side cross-sectional view of the indoor unit illustrated inFIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a plan cross-sectional view taken along line I-I of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a plan cross-sectional view taken along line II-II of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of a dotted circular portion of FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is an exemplary view of airflow control units according to anembodiment;

FIG. 8 is an exemplary view of airflow control units according to anembodiment;

FIG. 9 is a control block diagram of an air conditioner according to anembodiment;

FIG. 10 is an example of a method of controlling an air conditioneraccording to an embodiment;

FIG. 11 is an exemplary view of setting RPM of the second fan inaccordance with airflow speed information and airflow directioninformation of an air conditioner according to an embodiment;

FIGS. 12, 13, 14A, 14B, and 15 are exemplary views of controlling anairflow in a high speed mode of an air conditioner according to anembodiment;

FIG. 16 is an example of a method of controlling an air conditioneraccording to an embodiment;

FIGS. 17A and 17B are a view illustrating an embodiment of formingvarious airflow patterns by variably controlling RPM of a plurality ofsecond fans disposed in an indoor unit of an air conditioner;

FIGS. 18A and 18B are a view illustrating an embodiment of formingvariable airflow patterns by variably controlling turning on or off aplurality of second fans disposed in an indoor unit of an airconditioner;

FIG. 19 is a control flow chart of the defrosting operation of an airconditioner according to an embodiment;

FIG. 20 is an exemplary view of adjusting an airflow during thedefrosting operation of an air conditioner according to an embodiment;

FIG. 21 is a control flow chart of an air conditioner according to anembodiment;

FIG. 22 is a control flow chart of an air conditioner according to anembodiment;

FIG. 23 is an exemplary view of airflow control units disposed in an airconditioner according to an embodiment;

FIG. 24 is a control block diagram of an air conditioner according to anembodiment;

FIG. 25 is a control flow chart of an air conditioner according anembodiment;

FIGS. 26 and 27 are exemplary views of airflows in an indoor unitdisposed in an air conditioner according to an embodiment;

FIGS. 28 and 29 are exemplary views of an indoor unit of an airconditioner according to an embodiment;

FIGS. 30 and 31 are exemplary views of an indoor unit of an airconditioner according to an embodiment;

FIGS. 32 and 33 are exemplary views of an indoor unit of an airconditioner according to an embodiment;

FIGS. 34 and 35 are exemplary views of an indoor unit of an airconditioner according to an embodiment;

FIG. 36 is a view illustrating states of blades of an air conditioneraccording to an embodiment and forms of discharged airflows inaccordance with the states of the blades;

FIGS. 37A and 37B are a view illustrating an embodiment of formingvariable airflow patterns by variably controlling swinging/fixing of aplurality of blades disposed in an indoor unit of an air conditioner;

FIGS. 38A and 37B are a view illustrating an embodiment of formingvariable airflow patterns by variably controlling opening/closing of aplurality of blades disposed in an indoor unit of an air conditioner;

FIGS. 39A and 39B are a view illustrating effects of an airflowcirculation mode of an air conditioner according to an embodiment;

FIG. 40 is a perspective view of an air conditioner according to anembodiment;

FIG. 41 is a rear view of an air conditioner according to an embodimentviewed from the bottom;

FIG. 42 is a rear view of a state in which a lower housing of an indoorunit of an air conditioner according to an embodiment is removed;

FIG. 43 is an exploded perspective view of an air conditioner accordingto an embodiment;

FIG. 44 is a side cross-sectional view taken along line II-II marked inFIG. 41;

FIG. 45 is an enlarged view of a ‘O’ portion marked in FIG. 44;

FIG. 46 is an exploded perspective view of a display unit of an airconditioner according to an embodiment;

FIG. 47 is an enlarged view of a display unit of an air conditioneraccording to an embodiment;

FIG. 48 is an example of a cross-sectional view taken along line I-Imarked in FIG. 41;

FIG. 49 is an exploded view of a portion of an air conditioner accordingto an embodiment;

FIG. 50 is an example of a cross-sectional view taken along line I-Imarked in FIG. 41;

FIG. 51 is an example of a cross-sectional view taken along line I-Imarked in FIG. 41;

FIG. 52 is an example of a cross-sectional view taken along line I-Imarked in FIG. 41;

FIG. 53 is a view illustrating an embodiment of an air conditionerillustrated in FIG. 40;

FIG. 54 is a control block diagram of an indoor unit of an airconditioner according to an embodiment;

FIG. 55 is an operation flow chart illustrating a control algorithm forvisually expressing a direction of a discharged airflow in an airconditioner according to an embodiment;

FIGS. 56A, 56B and 56C illustrate an example of a direction of adischarged airflow visually expressed by an air conditioner according toan embodiment;

FIGS. 57A, 57B and 57C illustrate an example of a direction of adischarged airflow visually expressed by an air conditioner according toan embodiment;

FIG. 58 is a perspective view illustrating an indoor unit of an airconditioner according to an embodiment;

FIG. 59 is an operation flow chart illustrating a control algorithm forvisually expressing a strength of a discharged airflow in an airconditioner according to an embodiment;

FIGS. 60A and 60B are operation flow charts illustrating a first controlalgorithm for visually expressing a direction and a strength of adischarged airflow in an air conditioner according an embodiment;

FIGS. 61A and 61B are operation flow charts illustrating a secondcontrol algorithm for visually expressing a direction and a strength ofa discharged airflow in an air conditioner according an embodiment;

FIGS. 62A and 62B are operation flow charts illustrating a third controlalgorithm for visually expressing a direction and a strength of adischarged airflow in an air conditioner according another embodiment;

FIG. 63 is a perspective view illustrating an indoor unit of an airconditioner according to an embodiment;

FIG. 64 is a perspective view illustrating an indoor unit of an airconditioner according to an embodiment;

FIG. 65 is a perspective view illustrating an indoor unit of an airconditioner according to an embodiment; and

FIG. 66 is a perspective view illustrating an indoor unit of an airconditioner according to an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments, examples ofwhich are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein likereference numerals refer to like elements throughout. The embodimentsare described below to explain the present disclosure by referring tothe figures.

Before undertaking the DETAILED DESCRIPTION below, it may beadvantageous to set forth definitions of certain words and phrases usedthroughout this patent document: the terms “include” and “comprise,” aswell as derivatives thereof, mean inclusion without limitation; the term“or,” is inclusive, meaning and/or; the phrases “associated with” and“associated therewith,” as well as derivatives thereof, may mean toinclude, be included within, interconnect with, contain, be containedwithin, connect to or with, couple to or with, be communicable with,cooperate with, interleave, juxtapose, be proximate to, be bound to orwith, have, have a property of, or the like; and the term “controller”means any device, system or part thereof that controls at least oneoperation, such a device may be implemented in hardware, firmware orsoftware, or some combination of at least two of the same. It should benoted that the functionality associated with any particular controllermay be centralized or distributed, whether locally or remotely.Definitions for certain words and phrases are provided throughout thispatent document, those of ordinary skill in the art should understandthat in many, if not most instances, such definitions apply to prior, aswell as future uses of such defined words and phrases.

FIGS. 1 through 66, discussed below, and the various embodiments used todescribe the principles of the present disclosure in this patentdocument are by way of illustration only and should not be construed inany way to limit the scope of the disclosure. Those skilled in the artwill understand that the principles of the present disclosure may beimplemented in any suitably arranged washing machine technologies.Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present disclosure will be describedin detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a refrigeration cycle of an air conditionerthat performs a cooling operation and a heating operation.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, an air conditioner 1 is an apparatus capableof both a cooling operation for cooling a plurality of air-conditionedspaces and a heating operation for heating the plurality ofair-conditioned spaces. The air conditioner 1 includes at least oneoutdoor unit 100 and a plurality of indoor units 200 a and 200 b.

The outdoor unit 100 includes a compressor 110, an outdoor heatexchanger 120, an expansion valve 130, an outdoor fan 140, a firstdetection unit 150, a four-way valve 160, an accumulator 170, and an oilseparator 180. The plurality of indoor units 200 a and 200 b eachinclude an indoor heat exchanger 210, a main fan 220, an auxiliary fan230, and a second detection unit 240. Refrigerant tubes connect theoutdoor unit 100 to the indoor units 200 a and 200 b, and refrigerantcirculates through the refrigerant tubes.

The compressor 110 compresses refrigerant and discharges the compressedrefrigerant in a high-temperature, high-pressure gaseous state. Forexample, during a cooling operation, the compressor 110 discharges therefrigerant in a high-temperature, high-pressure gaseous state to theoutdoor heat exchanger 120.

The outdoor heat exchanger 120 performs a heat exchange between therefrigerant and outdoor air. For example, during a cooling operation,the outdoor heat exchanger 120 condenses refrigerant introduced from thecompressor 110 by emitting heat. Here, the phase of the refrigerant ahigh-temperature, high-pressure gaseous state is converted to becomerefrigerant in a high-temperature, high-pressure liquid state.

The expansion valve 130 includes a first expansion valve 131 and asecond expansion valve 132.

The first expansion valve 131 and the second expansion valve 132distribute refrigerant supplied from the outdoor heat exchanger 120through a first distribution tube to supply the distributed refrigerantto the first indoor unit 200 a and the second indoor unit 200 b,respectively. Here, the first expansion valve 131 and the secondexpansion valve 132 may also serve as a flow control valve whose openingmay be controlled for controlling the flow of the refrigerant suppliedto the first indoor unit 200 a and the second indoor unit 200 b. Thefirst expansion valve 131 may connect the outdoor heat exchanger 120 tothe indoor heat exchanger 210 of the first indoor unit 200 a to controlthe flow of the refrigerant supplied to the first indoor unit 200 a, andthe second expansion valve 132 may connect the outdoor heat exchanger120 to the indoor heat exchanger 210 of the second indoor unit 200 b tocontrol the flow of the refrigerant supplied to the second indoor unit200 b.

During a cooling operation, the expansion valve 130 drops the pressureand the temperature of the refrigerant introduced from the outdoor heatexchanger 120. In other words, the refrigerant that has passed throughthe expansion valve 130 is changed from the high-temperature,high-pressure liquid state to a low-temperature, low-pressure liquidstate. The expansion action of the expansion valve 130 allows therefrigerant to be easily evaporated in the indoor heat exchangers 210 ofthe plurality of indoor units 200 a and 200 b. Also, the refrigerantwith the pressure and the temperature thereof dropped is transferred tothe indoor heat exchangers 210. Here, the expansion valve 130 may alsobe implemented using a capillary tube.

The outdoor fan 140 is provided at one portion of the outdoor heatexchanger 120 and rotates by a fan motor to assist in heat-exchanging inorder to forcibly blow air around the outdoor heat exchanger 120.

The first detection unit 150 includes a first temperature detection unit151 to detect the temperature of the outdoor heat exchanger 120 and asecond temperature detection unit 152 to detect an outdoor temperaturearound the outdoor unit 100. Here, the first temperature detection unit151 may be disposed at an output side of the outdoor heat exchanger 120,may also be disposed at an input side of the outdoor heat exchanger 120,and may also be disposed at the middle between the outdoor heatexchanger 120.

The outdoor unit 100 further includes a second distribution tube togather the refrigerant supplied from each of the first indoor unit 200 aand the second indoor unit 200 b and supply the refrigerant to thecompressor 110. Here, a distributor having a valve may also be usedinstead of the first distribution tube and the second distribution tube.

The four-way valve 160 is a flow switching valve to switch the directionof a refrigerant flow depending on the operation, cooling or heating.During the heating operation, the four-way valve 160 may guide thehigh-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant discharged from thecompressor 110 to the first indoor unit 200 a and the second indoor unit200 b and guide the low-temperature, low-pressure refrigerant of theoutdoor heat exchanger 120 to the accumulator 170. Here, the outdoorheat exchanger 120 serves as an evaporator, and the first indoor heatexchanger 210 of the first indoor unit 200 a and the second indoor heatexchanger 210 of the second indoor unit 200 b serve as a condenser.

In addition, during the cooling operation, the four-way valve 160 mayguide the high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant discharged fromthe compressor 110 to the outdoor heat exchanger 120 and guide thelow-temperature, low-pressure refrigerant of the first indoor unit 200 aand the second indoor unit 200 b to the accumulator 170. Here, theoutdoor heat exchanger 120 serves as a condenser, and the first indoorunit 200 a and the second indoor unit 200 b serve as an evaporator.

The accumulator 170 is disposed at a suctioning side of the compressor110 to separate un-gasified refrigerant in a liquid state from therefrigerant being introduced into the compressor 110 to prevent therefrigerant in the liquid state from being discharged to the compressor110. By this, the compressor 110 may be prevented from being damaged.

The oil separator 180 separates oil mixed with vapor of the refrigerantdischarged from the compressor 110 and returns the oil to the compressor110. This way, an oil film is formed on surfaces of the outdoor heatexchanger 120 and the indoor heat exchangers 210, thereby preventing aheat transfer effect from being degraded and preventing a lubricatingaction from being degraded due to a lack of lubricating oil in thecompressor 110.

The air conditioner 1 further includes connection valves v1, v2, v3, andv4 to connect the refrigerant tube of the outdoor unit 100 to therefrigerant tubes of the first indoor unit 200 a and the second indoorunit 200 b.

The first indoor unit 200 a and the second indoor unit 200 b are thesame devices, and the first indoor unit 200 a and the second indoor unit200 b each include the indoor heat exchanger 210, the main fan 220, theauxiliary fan 230, and the second detection units 240.

The indoor heat exchangers 210 of the first and second indoor units 200a and 200 b are each disposed in the air-conditioned space. During thecooling operation, the indoor heat exchangers 210 exchange heat with airof the air-conditioned space by heat absorption caused by evaporation ofthe refrigerant introduced from the first and second expansion valves131 and 132. Here, the phase of the refrigerant in the low-temperature,low-pressure liquid state is converted to become refrigerant in alow-temperature, low-pressure gaseous state.

The main fan 220 is disposed in the indoor heat exchanger 210. The mainfan 220 rotates by a first motor to draw air from the air-conditionedspace and forcibly blow the air heat-exchanged in the indoor heatexchanger 210 to the air-conditioned space.

The auxiliary fan 230 is disposed in the indoor heat exchanger 210. Theauxiliary fan 230 rotates by a second motor to draw some air dischargedto the air-conditioned space, thereby adjusting the direction in whichair discharged to the air-conditioned space flows.

The second detection unit 240 includes a third temperature detectionunit 241 to detect a temperature of a refrigerant tube connected to aninlet of the indoor heat exchanger 210 of the refrigerant tubesconnected to the indoor heat exchanger 210, a fourth temperaturedetection unit 242 to detect a temperature of a refrigerant tubeconnected to an outlet of the indoor heat exchanger 210 of therefrigerant tubes connected to the indoor heat exchanger 210, and afifth temperature detection unit 243 disposed in the indoor unit 200 todetect the temperature of the air-conditioned space. Here, thetemperatures of the inlet and the outlet of the indoor heat exchanger210 respectively detected by the third temperature detection unit 241and the fourth temperature detection unit 242 may be used in controlsfor overheating or overcooling.

During the heating operation, the air conditioner 1 switches flowpassages of the four-way valve 160 to guide the high-temperature,high-pressure refrigerant discharged from the compressor 110 to theindoor heat exchanger 210 and guides the low-temperature, low-pressurerefrigerant of the indoor units 200 a and 200 b to the accumulator 170.Here, the outdoor heat exchanger 120 serves as an evaporator, and theindoor heat exchanger 210 serves as a condenser.

During the heating operation, a phenomenon in which condensate is formedon the surface of the outdoor heat exchanger occurs in the airconditioner, and for this, a defrosting mode for removing the frost onthe outdoor heat exchanger is performed. Here, the defrosting mode is amode of removing frost on the outdoor heat exchanger by heat emittedfrom the outdoor heat exchanger due to operating in a cycle for thecooling operation to allow the outdoor heat exchanger to serve as acondenser.

The air conditioner may further include a driving module to control theindoor unit and the outdoor unit based on the cooling operation, theheating operation, and the operation modes. The configuration of thedriving module will be described below.

In addition, the air conditioner may further include a user interfacedisposed in the indoor unit 200 or a remote controller (not shown) toreceive a command from a user and output operation information. Here,the remote controller may be provided as a wired type or a wirelesstype.

In the above, the multi-type air conditioner capable of cooling andheating has been described. However, the multi-type air conditionercapable of cooling and heating is merely an example of an airconditioner, and a single-type air conditioner only capable of coolingor a single-type air conditioner capable of cooling and heating are notexcluded.

FIG. 2 is an exemplary view of an indoor unit 200-1 of an airconditioner according to an embodiment and is an exemplary view of aceiling-mounted indoor unit formed in a circular shape and installed ona ceiling.

As illustrated FIG. 2, the indoor unit 200-1 may be fixed and installedwhile at least a portion thereof is buried into a ceiling C.

The indoor unit 200-1 includes a housing 250 having a suction portion250 a and a discharge portion 250 b. Here, the housing 250 has a nearlycircular shape when a surface of the ceiling is viewed in the verticaldirection. Also, the housing 250 includes a first housing 251 disposedin the ceiling C, a second housing 252 coupled to a lower portion of thefirst housing 251, and a third housing 253 coupled to a lower portion ofthe second housing 252.

The suction portion 250 a including a plurality of suctioning holes maybe disposed at a central portion of the third housing 253 to draw air. Afilter portion 254 for filtering dust within air drawn into the suctionportion 250 a may be disposed at the suction portion 250 a. Thedischarge portion 250 b including a plurality of discharging holesthrough which air is discharged may be disposed at an outer portion ofthe suction portion 250 a. The discharge portion 250 b may have a nearlycircular shape when viewed in the vertical direction toward the surfaceof the ceiling.

FIG. 3 is a side cross-sectional view of the indoor unit illustrated inFIG. 2.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, the filter portion 254 for filtering dustwithin the air drawn into the suction portion 250 a may be disposed on abottom surface of the third housing 253.

In addition, the third housing 253 may have a Coanda curved surfaceportion 253 a to guide air discharged through the discharge portion 250b. The air discharged through the discharge portion 250 b flows along asurface of the Coanda curved surface portion 253 a by the Coanda effect,and due to this, a an airflow direction is determined by the form of thesurface of the Coanda curved surface portion 253 a. In other words, whenthe slope of the Coanda curved surface portion 253 is gentle, an angleof the discharged airflow is also gentle. Conversely, when the slope ofthe Coanda curved surface portion 253 is steep, the angle of thedischarged airflow also becomes greater.

The indoor unit 200-1 in the above structure suctions in the air of theair-conditioned space from the lower portion, heat-exchanges the air,and discharges the air again to the lower portion. Here, the indoor unit200-1 may draw the air from which dust is filtered by the filter portion254. Also, the indoor unit 200-1 may guide the air discharged throughthe discharge portion 250 b to flow while in close contact with theCoanda curved surface portion 253 a.

The indoor unit 200-1 includes the indoor heat exchanger 210 disposed inthe housing 250, the main fan 220 and the auxiliary fan 230 to flow air,and a flow passage portion 260.

The indoor heat exchanger 210 may be placed on a tray 255 disposed inthe housing 250. The tray 255 stores the condensate generated in theindoor heat exchanger 210. The indoor heat exchanger 210 may have anearly circular shape when viewed in the vertical direction toward thesurface of the ceiling.

FIG. 4 is a plan cross-sectional view taken along line I-I of FIG. 3. Asillustrated in FIG. 4, the indoor heat exchanger 210 includes a tube 212through which refrigerant flows and a header 211 connected to anexternal refrigerant tube to supply or recover the refrigerant to orfrom the tube 212. A heat exchange fin may be disposed in the tube 212to expand a heat dissipation area. The tube 212 may have a circularshape.

The main fan 220 may be disposed in a radial inner portion of the indoorheat exchanger 210. The main fan 220 may be a centrifugal fan thatsuctions in air in a rotation axis direction to discharge the air in theradial direction. The indoor unit 200-1 may include the first motor (221in FIG. 3) to transmit a driving force to the main fan 220.

The indoor unit 200-1 further includes airflow control units (AP, referto 230 and 260 of FIG. 3) for controlling the airflow direction. Atleast one of the airflow control units AP may be disposed in thehousing, or a plurality thereof may be disposed in predeterminedintervals. This embodiment is a case in which three airflow controlunits AP are disposed at intervals of 120°.

The airflow control unit AP may draw air around the discharge portion250 b. When suctioning in air around the discharge portion 250 b, theairflow control units AP may draw air from one direction off of thedirection of the discharged airflow. The airflow control units AP mayinclude at least one auxiliary fan 230 and flow passage portion 260, anda second motor 231 to provide a driving force to the at least oneauxiliary fan 230.

FIG. 5 is a plan cross-sectional view taken along line II-II of FIG. 3.As illustrated in FIG. 5, the auxiliary fan 230 generates a suctioningforce for suctioning in the air around the discharge portion 250 b.Also, the surrounding air is drawn by the suctioning force, and thepressure of the air changes. Furthermore, the auxiliary fan 230 changesa pattern of the airflow discharged through the discharge portion 250 bto form various forms of airflow patterns.

The flow passage portion 260 forms a flow passage through which drawnair flows. That is, the flow passage portion 260 guides the flow of thedrawn air.

The plurality of auxiliary fans 230 have the same structure, and thusonly one auxiliary fan 230 will be described. Although a centrifugal fanis used as the auxiliary fan 230 in this embodiment, the auxiliary fan230 is not limited thereto, and various fans including an axial-flowfan, a cross-flow fan, a mixed-flow fan, etc. may be used as theauxiliary fan 230 depending on design specifications.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of a dotted circular portion 0 of FIG. 3. Asillustrated in FIG. 6, the auxiliary fan 230 is disposed in a case 232,and a rotational speed, measured in a revolution per minute (RPM), forexample, of the auxiliary fan 230 is adjusted in accordance with thedriving force transmitted from the second motor 231. The auxiliary fan230 may control the amount of air drawn around the discharge portion 250b by rotating. Also, the auxiliary fan 230 may control the direction ofthe discharged airflow by controlling the amount of air drawn around thedischarge portion 250 b. Here, the controlling of the direction of thedischarged airflow includes controlling the angle of the dischargedairflow.

The flow passage portion 260 includes a flow passage to connect an inletportion 260 a including an inlet to draw the air around the dischargeportion 250 b to an outlet portion 260 b including an outlet todischarge the drawn air. Here, the inlet portion 260 a may be formed onthe Coanda curved surface portion 253 a of the third housing 253, andthe outlet portion 260 b may be disposed around the discharge portion250 b at the opposite side of the inlet portion 260 a. Specifically, theoutlet portion 260 b may be formed at the case 232.

The flow passage portion 260 may include a first flow passage 261 formedat the outer portion of the housing 250 in the circumferential directionto communicate with the inlet portion 260 a, a second flow passage 262configured to extend from the first flow passage 261 to the radial innerportion, and a third flow passage 263 formed in the case 232.Consequently, the air drawn through the inlet portion 260 a may passthrough the first flow passage 261, the second flow passage 262, and thethird flow passage 263 and be discharged through the outlet portion 260b.

The airflow control units AP may discharge the drawn air in the oppositedirection of a direction A1 in which the discharged air flows, mayenlarge the angle of the discharged airflow, and may further facilitatethe controlling of the airflow. That is, as illustrated in FIG. 6,assuming that the direction of the discharged airflow when the pluralityof auxiliary fans 230 of the airflow control units AP is not operatingis the direction A1, the plurality of auxiliary fans 230 of the airflowcontrol units AP may operate to draw air from one direction off of thedirection A1, thereby switching the direction of the discharged airflowto a direction A2.

In addition, in accordance with the amount of air drawn by the auxiliaryfan 230, switching of the angle of the discharged airflow may beadjusted. That is, the angle of the discharged airflow may be switchedto a small angle when the amount of air drawn by the auxiliary fan 230is large, and the angle of the discharged airflow may be switched to alarge angle when the amount of air drawn by the auxiliary fan 230 issmall. Here, the angle of the discharged airflow is with respect to thesurface of the ceiling. That is, the angle of the discharged airflow is0° in the horizontal direction parallel to the surface of the ceilingand is 90° in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the ceiling(i.e., the normal direction).

The airflow control units AP may discharge the drawn air in the oppositedirection of the direction A1 in which the discharged air flows. Bythis, the angle of the discharged airflow may be enlarged, andcontrolling the airflow may be further facilitated. The auxiliary fan230 of the airflow control units AP suctions in air from the radialouter portion of the discharge portion 250 b to allow the dischargedairflow to be widely spread from the radial central portion to theradial outer portion of the discharge portion 250 b.

The indoor unit 200-1 of the air conditioner according to the embodimentmay control the discharged airflow even without a blade structure of adischarge portion. That is, although a blade is disposed in thedischarge portion and the discharged airflow is controlled by rotationof the blade in the indoor unit of the conventional air conditioner, theair conditioner according to the embodiment may control the form of thedischarged airflow even without a blade disposed at the dischargeportion of the indoor unit. Here, the form of the discharged airflow mayinclude a direction of the discharged airflow and a pattern of thedischarged airflow. Accordingly, because discharged air is notinterfered by the blade, the amount of discharged air may be increasedand noise of the flowing air may be reduced.

In addition, although the discharge portion of the indoor unit of theconventional air conditioner can only have a straight shape in order torotate the blade, the discharge portion of the indoor unit of the airconditioner according to the embodiment may be formed in a circularshape. Accordingly, the housing, the heat exchanger, etc. may also beformed in the circular shape, thereby not only improving an estheticsense by the differentiated design but also enabling a natural airflowand reducing loss of pressure when considering that a first fangenerally has a circular shape, thus improving cooling or heatingperformance of the air conditioner as a result.

The structure of the flow passage portion 260 in this embodiment ismerely an example, and the flow passage portion 260 may be in anystructure, shape, and arrangement as long as the flow passage portion260 connects the inlet portion 260 a to the outlet portion 260 b.

Related to the above, a modified embodiment of the airflow control unitsAP will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8.

FIG. 7 is an exemplary view of airflow control units AP1 according to anembodiment. Furthermore, like reference numerals will be given to likeelements from FIG. 2 described above, and description thereof will beomitted.

As illustrated in FIG. 7, the airflow control units AP1 of the indoorunit 200-1 of the air conditioner may discharge the air drawn around thedischarge portion 250 b into the housing 250 instead of discharging theair toward the discharge portion 250 b. The airflow control units AP1discharge the air drawn around the discharge portion 250 b toward anupper stream of the indoor heat exchanger 210 in accordance with a anairflow direction. The air discharged in this manner is heat-exchangedagain by passing through the indoor heat exchanger 210 and then finallydischarged to an indoor space through the discharge portion 250 b.

The auxiliary fan 230 is disposed in the case 232, and the RPM of theauxiliary fan 230 is adjusted in accordance with the driving forcetransmitted from the second motor 231. The auxiliary fan 230 may controlthe amount of air drawn around the discharge portion 250 b by rotating.The auxiliary fan 230 may control the direction of the dischargedairflow by controlling the amount of air drawn around the dischargeportion 250 b. Here, the controlling of the direction of the dischargedairflow includes controlling the angle of the discharged airflow.

The flow passage portion 260 includes the inlet portion 260 a formed inthe third housing 253 and configured to draw air around the dischargeportion 250 b to discharge the air drawn around the discharge portion250 b to the inner portion of the housing 250, and the outlet portion260 b formed in the housing 250 and configured to discharge the drawnair.

The flow passage portion 260 includes the first flow passage 261 formedin the circumferential direction and configured to communicate with theinlet portion 260 a, the second flow passage 262 configured to extendfrom the first flow passage 261 to the radial inner portion, the thirdflow passage 263 formed in the case 232, and a fourth flow passage 264configured to extend from the third flow passage 263 to the innerportion of the housing 250 and communicate with the outlet portion 260b. Consequently, the air drawn through the inlet portion 260 a may passthrough the first flow passage 261, the second flow passage 262, thethird flow passage 263, and the fourth flow passage 264 and bedischarged through the outlet portion 260 b.

FIG. 8 is an exemplary view of airflow control units AP2 according to anembodiment. Furthermore, like reference numerals will be given to likeelements from FIG. 2 described above, and the description thereof willbe omitted.

As illustrated in FIG. 8, the airflow control units AP2 may be disposedto draw air from the radial inner portion of the discharge portion 250 binstead of suctioning in the air from the radial outer portion of thedischarge portion 250 b.

The auxiliary fan 230 is disposed in the case 232, and the RPM of theauxiliary fan 230 is adjusted by the driving force transmitted from thesecond motor 231. The auxiliary fan 230 may control the amount of airdrawn around the discharge portion 250 b by rotating. That is, theauxiliary fan 230 may control the direction of the discharged airflow bysuctioning in air around the discharge portion 250 b. Here, thecontrolling of the direction of the discharged airflow includescontrolling the angle of the discharged airflow.

The flow passage portion 260 includes the inlet portion 260 a disposedat the radial inner portion of the discharge portion 250 b, i.e., at asurface 253 b of the third housing on which the filter portion 254 ismounted, to draw air around the discharge portion 250 b, and the outletportion 260 b to deliver the air drawn through the inlet portion 260 atoward the indoor heat exchanger 210. Also, the flow passage portion 260may include a first flow passage to communicate with the inlet portion260 a and a second flow passage to simultaneously extend to the radialinner portion and communicate with the outlet portion 260 b.

As in the above, the airflow control units AP2 draw air from the radialinner portion of the discharge portion 250 b such that the dischargedairflow may be concentrated from the radial outer portion toward theradial central portion of the discharge portion 250 b.

FIG. 9 is a control block diagram of an air conditioner according to anembodiment.

The air conditioner shown in FIG. 9 may be any one of a single-typeheating air conditioner, a single-type cooling air conditioner, asingle-type cooling-and-heating air conditioner, a multi-type heatingair conditioner, a multi-type cooling air conditioner, and a multi-typecooling-and-heating air conditioner. Also, an indoor unit may be any oneof a circular ceiling-mounted indoor unit, a quadrilateralceiling-mounted indoor unit, a wall-mounted indoor unit, and astand-type indoor unit.

The air conditioner includes the outdoor unit 100 and the indoor unit200, and the outdoor unit 100 and the indoor unit 200 of the airconditioner communicate with each other. In other words, the outdoorunit 100 and the indoor unit 200 transmit and receive information oneach other, i.e., information of the outdoor unit 100 and information ofthe indoor unit 200.

The outdoor unit 100 of the air conditioner includes a first drivingmodule 190 for controlling various types of loads such as the firstdetection unit 150, a compressor, and an expansion valve, etc. Also, theindoor unit 200 includes a second driving module 290 for controllingvarious types of loads such as the second detection unit 240, an inputunit 270, a display unit 280, the main fan 220, and the auxiliary fan230, etc.

To differentiate the elements of the outdoor unit from the elements ofthe indoor unit, “first” will be given to an element of the outdoor unitand “second” will be given to an element of the indoor unit with respectto elements with the same names.

First, the elements of the outdoor unit 100 will be described.

The first detection unit 150 includes the first temperature detectionunit 151 to detect a temperature of refrigerant flowing in the outdoorheat exchanger 120 and the second temperature detection unit 152 todetect an outdoor temperature. The temperature information detected bythe first temperature detection unit 151 and the second temperaturedetection unit 152 may be used as information for determining a startand an end of the defrosting mode.

The first driving module 190 drives the plurality of outdoor loads 110,130, 140, and 160 based on indoor load information, an operation mode,and a working mode sent from the indoor unit 200, and outdoor detectedinformation detected by the outdoor unit 100 and includes a firstcontrol unit 191, a first storage unit 192, a first communication unit193, and a first driving unit 194.

The first control unit 191 controls turning the compressor 110 on oroff, RPM of the compressor 110, opening of the expansion valve 130, RPMof the outdoor fan 140, etc. when an operation command sent from theindoor unit 200 is received. Here, the operation command includes anoperation mode, a working mode, indoor load information.

The operation mode includes a cooling mode and a heating mode, and theworking mode includes a normal mode, a high speed mode, and an airflowcirculation mode. The indoor load information includes a target indoortemperature and a detected indoor temperature. Furthermore, when both ofthe cooling operation and the heating operation are possible, the firstcontrol unit 191 may also check whether the operation mode is theheating operation or the cooling operation to control the opening of theflow passages of the four-way valve 160.

When the cooling operation is input, the first control unit 191 adjuststhe opening of the flow passages of the four-way valve 160 and controlsthe compressor 110, the expansion valve 130, and the outdoor fan 140 tocirculate refrigerant, thereby cooling the air-conditioned space. Whenthe heating operation is input, the first control unit 191 controls flowswitching of the four-way valve 160 and controls the compressor 110, theexpansion valve 130, and the outdoor fan 140 to switch the flow of therefrigerant, thereby heating the indoor space.

In addition, during the heating operation, the first control unit 191may determine a start of the defrosting operation based on at least oneof temperature information and compressor operation time informationdetected by the first detection unit and control the defrostingoperation when the start of the defrosting operation is determined.Here, the defrosting operation may include controlling the flow passagesof the four-way valve 160 to be switched such that the refrigerantcirculates to a defrosting cycle (same as the refrigeration cycle) oroperating a heating unit installed adjacent to the outdoor heatexchanger.

The first storage unit 192 stores the RPM of the compressor 110, theopening of the expansion valve 130, and the RPM of the outdoor fan 140,etc. corresponding to the operation command. Also, the first storageunit 192 stores the compressor operation time information andinformation on the temperature of the outdoor heat exchanger at eachoutdoor temperature for determining the start of the defrostingoperation, stores information on the RPM of the auxiliary fan during thedefrosting operation, and stores information on the temperature of theoutdoor heat exchanger at each outdoor temperature or defrostingoperation time information for determining an end of the defrostingoperation. Here, the RPM of the auxiliary fan during the defrostingoperation may be stored by being matched with each RPM of the main fanduring the heating operation right before the defrosting operation.

The first communication unit 193 performs communication with at leastone indoor unit. The first communication unit 193 receives indoor loadinformation and an operation command sent from at least one indoor unit200 and transmits the indoor load information and the operation mode tothe first control unit 191 and transmits defrosting mode information tothe indoor unit 200.

The first driving unit 194 includes a compressor driving unit 194 a todrive the compressor based on a command of the first control unit 191and a valve driving unit 194 b to drive various types of valves based onthe command of the first control unit 191. The compressor driving unit194 a may be an inverter driving unit that rotates a motor disposed inthe compressor. Here, the various types of valves may include at leastone of the expansion valve and the four-way valve.

Next, the configuration of the indoor unit 200 will be described.

The second detection unit 240 includes the fifth temperature detectionunit 243 to detect a temperature of an indoor space.

A third detection unit 244 detects whether a user is present in theindoor space and a position of the user. The third detection unit 244includes a human body sensor, and the human body sensor may include anysensor capable of detecting a human body including a near infraredsensor, an infrared sensor, an image sensor, etc.

A fourth detection unit 245 includes a sensor for detecting the amountof dust in the filter portion provided at the suction portion of thehousing.

The sensor may be a current detection unit of the first motor 221 thatindirectly detects the amount of dust. That is, the current detectionunit detects a current flowing in the first motor 221 of the main fan220. The load of the first motor 221 that applies a driving force to themain fan 220 may vary depending on the amount of air drawn into theindoor unit 200, and here, the current detection unit detects thecurrent flowing in the first motor 221 in order to detect the load ofthe first motor 221.

In addition, the sensor may be an optical detection unit or an airpressure detection unit that directly detects the amount of dust. Theair pressure detection unit detects the pressure of air drawn into themain fan 220. That is, the air pressure detection unit detects thepressure of the drawn air because the pressure of the air drawn into themain fan 220 may vary depending on the amount of dust in the filterportion.

The input unit 270 receives the operation modes including the coolingoperation and the heating operation, the working modes including thenormal mode, the high speed mode, and the airflow circulation mode, thetarget indoor temperature, and information on airflow direction andairflow speed as inputs from a user and the input pieces of informationare transmitted to a second control unit 291.

The display unit 280 displays information on the operation mode, theworking mode, the airflow direction, the airflow speed, the targetindoor temperature, the currently detected indoor temperature, etc.

The second driving module 290 controls rotations of the main fan 220 andthe auxiliary fan 230 based on the information input to the input unit270 and the information detected by the second detection unit 240/thethird detection unit 244/the fourth detection unit 245 and includes thesecond control unit 291, a second storage unit 292, a secondcommunication unit 293, and a second driving unit 294.

The second control unit 291 controls operations of the main fan 220, theauxiliary fan 230, etc. based on the information input to the input unit270 and the information received by the second communication unit 293.

When the normal mode is selected, the second control unit 291 controlsthe main fan 220 and the auxiliary fan 230 so that an airflow having areference airflow speed and a reference airflow direction is discharged.In normal mode, when airflow speed information and airflow directioninformation is input, the second control unit 291 checks RPM of the mainfan 220 corresponding to the input airflow speed information, checks anairflow angle corresponding to the airflow direction information, andcontrols the RPM of the auxiliary fan 230 based on the checked RPM ofthe main fan 220 and the airflow angle.

By this, the second control unit 291 may adjust the amount of air drawnaround the discharge portion 250 b and adjust the direction of thedischarged airflow. Here, the value of the RPM of the auxiliary fan 230acquired may be a value acquired based on a function of the RPM of themain fan 220 and the airflow angle or may be a stored value storedpre-acquired from an experiment for acquiring angles in which air flowsfor each RPM of the main fan 220.

When the high speed mode or the airflow circulation mode is selected,the second control unit 291 controls the main fan 220 by the preset RPMand turns the auxiliary fan 230 on or off or repeatedly and variablycontrols the RPM of the auxiliary fan 230 in a first section until theindoor temperature reaches the target temperature. Also, in a secondsection after the indoor temperature has reached the target temperature,the second control unit 291 controls the RPM of the auxiliary fan 230 tobe a preset RPM. That is, the second control unit 291 cyclically andrepeatedly controls the RPM of the auxiliary fan 230 in the firstsection to be a first RPM or a second RPM that is greater than the firstRPM.

In addition, the second control unit 291 may also cyclically andrepeatedly control the RPM of the auxiliary fan 230 in the first sectionto be the first RPM, the second RPM that is greater than the first RPM,and a third RPM that is greater than the second RPM. Furthermore, thesecond control unit 291 may also repeatedly control the operation of theauxiliary fan 230 to be turned on or off in the first section.

In addition, the second control unit 291 controls the main fan 220 bythe preset RPM and controls the RPM of the auxiliary fan 230 so that theairflow discharged through the discharge portion reaches a user.Particularly, the second control unit 291 checks whether a user ispresent in the indoor space and a position of the user in the indoorspace based on the information detected by the third detection unit 244,checks an airflow angle corresponding to the position of the user in theindoor space, checks RPM of the auxiliary fan 230 corresponding to theRPM of the main fan 220 and the airflow angle, and controls the RPM ofthe auxiliary fan 230 to be the checked RPM.

When a defrosting operation signal is received, the second control unit291 controls the operation of the main fan 220 to be stopped andcontrols the auxiliary fan 230 to rotate by the preset RPM. During thedefrosting operation, the second control unit 291 may also check the RPMof the main fan 220 during the heating operation right before thedefrosting operation and control the RPM of the auxiliary fan 230 basedon the checked RPM of the main fan 220.

In addition, during the defrosting operation, the second control unit291 may also control the operation of the main fan 220 to be stopped,check whether the user is present in the indoor space based on theinformation detected by the third detection unit 244, and control theoperation of the auxiliary fan 230 based on whether the user is present.For example, during the defrosting operation, the second control unit291 may control the auxiliary fan 230 to be stopped when it isdetermined that there is no user in the indoor space and may operate theauxiliary fan 230 when it is determined that a user is present in theindoor space. By this, power consumed due to the operation of theauxiliary fan 230 during the defrosting operation may be decreased.

In addition, when an operation command is input, the second control unit291 determines whether it is an initial operation command, checks theamount of dust in the filter portion based on the information detectedby the fourth detection unit 245 when it is determined that an initialoperation command has been input, and controls storage of a first amountof dust which is the checked initial amount of dust in the filterportion. Also, when the input operation command is not an initialoperation command, the second control unit 291 checks a second amount ofdust in the filter portion in a predetermined cycle while performing theoperation and controls the RPM of the auxiliary fan 230 to becompensated based on the checked first amount of dust and second amountof dust.

When an operation command is input, the second control unit 291determines whether the operation command is an initial operationcommand, detects a current flowing in the first motor 221 when the inputoperation command is determined to be the initial operation command, andcontrols storage of a first current detected. Also, when the inputoperation command is not an initial operation command, the secondcontrol unit 291 periodically checks the current of the first motor 221every predetermined cycle while performing the operation and controlsthe RPM of the auxiliary fan 230 to be compensated based on the checkedfirst current and the second current.

When it is determined that an initial operation command has been input,the second control unit 291 checks a duty ratio of pulse widthmodulation (PWM) for rotating the first motor 221 by the maximum RPM andcontrols storage of the first duty ratio checked. Also, when the inputoperation command is not an initial operation command, the secondcontrol unit 291 periodically checks a duty ratio of the PWM forrotating the first motor 221 by the maximum RPM every predeterminedcycle and controls the RPM of the auxiliary fan 230 to be compensatedbased on the second duty ratio and the first duty ratio checked. Thatis, the maximum RPM of the first motor 221 of the main fan 220 may varydepending on the amount of dust in the filter portion, and accordingly,duty ratios of PWM signals applied to the first motor 221 may bedifferent.

The second control unit 291 controls the second communication unit 293to transmit the information input to the input unit 270 and theinformation detected by the second detection unit 240 to the outdoorunit via the second communication unit 293. The second control unit 291may receive temperature information, i.e. the information on the outdoortemperature and the temperature of outdoor heat exchanger, from theoutdoor unit 100 and determine the start of the defrosting operationbased on the received outdoor temperature and the temperature of theoutdoor heat exchanger and may also receive the compressor operationtime from the outdoor unit 100 to determine the start of the defrostingoperation.

The second storage unit 292 stores information on a reference RPM of themain fan 220 and a reference RPM of the auxiliary fan 230 with respectto the reference airflow speed and the reference airflow direction inthe normal mode. Here, the reference RPM of the main fan 220 thereference RPM of the auxiliary fan 230 may be different for eachoperation mode or may be the same.

In addition, in the normal mode, the second storage unit 292 storesinformation on the RPM of the main fan 220 for each airflow speed andstores information on the airflow angle for each airflow direction.Furthermore, the second storage unit 292 may also store information onthe RPM of the auxiliary fan 230 based on the RPM of the main fan 220and the airflow angle.

In the high speed mode or the airflow circulation mode, the secondstorage unit 292 stores control information of the main fan 220 andcontrol information of the auxiliary fan 230 in the preset first sectionand stores control information of the main fan 220 and controlinformation of the auxiliary fan 230 in the preset second section. Here,the control information may include information on controlling the RPMand information on controlling the main fan 220 or the auxiliary fan 230on and off.

Furthermore, the RPM of the main fan 220 in the first section and theRPM of the main fan 220 in the second section may be the same as eachother or different from each other. Also, the RPM of the auxiliary fan230 in the first section may be a RPM that cyclically repeats beingincreased and decreased. The RPM of the auxiliary fan 230 in the firstsection may include the first RPM and the second RPM greater than thefirst RPM, and the RPM of the auxiliary fan 230 in the second sectionmay be the same as the second RPM. The RPM of the auxiliary fan 230 inthe first section may also include the first RPM, the second RPM greaterthan the first RPM, and the third RPM greater than the second RPM.

During the defrosting operation, the second storage unit 292 storesinformation on the present RPM of the auxiliary fan. Furthermore, thesecond storage unit 292 may store information on the RPM of theauxiliary fan 230 for each RPM of the main fan 220 during the heatingoperation before the defrosting operation starts.

In the normal mode, the second storage unit 292 stores information onthe RPM of the main fan for each airflow speed and stores information onthe airflow angle for each airflow direction. Furthermore, the secondstorage unit 292 stores the first duty ratio, the first current, or thefirst amount of dust during the initial operation. Here, the firstamount of dust may include information on the amount of light,information on the air pressure, or information on the current.

The second storage unit 292 may also store a compensation value for theRPM of the auxiliary fan 230 corresponding to the first amount of dustand the second amount of dust. Also, the second storage unit 292 mayalso store a compensation value for the auxiliary fan 230 correspondingto the first duty ratio and the second duty ratio. Also, the secondstorage unit 292 may also store a compensation value for the auxiliaryfan 230 corresponding to the first current and the second current.

The second communication unit 293 may communicate with at least oneindoor unit. The second communication unit 293 transmits information onthe defrosting operation transmitted from the outdoor unit 100 to thesecond control unit 291. The second communication unit 293 receives theindoor load information and the operation command to transmit the indoorload information and the operation command to the first control unit 191of the outdoor unit.

The second driving unit 294 drives various types of loads disposed inthe indoor unit based on the command of the second control unit 291. Thesecond driving unit 294 includes a main fan driving fan 294 a to drivethe first motor 221 of the main fan 220 and a second fan driving unit294 b to drive the second motor 231 of the auxiliary fan 230.

The first control unit 191 of the outdoor unit 100 and the secondcontrol unit 292 of the indoor unit 200 may be a processor, a centralprocessing unit (CPU), a microprogrammed control unit (MCU), etc.

The first storage unit 192 of the outdoor unit 100 and the secondstorage unit 292 of the indoor unit 200 may include not only a volatilememory such as a random access memory (RAM), a static RAM (S-RAM), adynamic RAM (D-RAM), etc. but also a nonvolatile memory such as a flashmemory, a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable ROM (EPROM),an electrically EPROM (EEPROM), etc.

FIG. 10 is an example of a method of controlling an air conditioneraccording to an embodiment. The control of the normal mode and the highspeed mode during a cooling operation will be described with referenceto FIG. 10.

The air conditioner checks an operation mode when a power-on signal isinput via the input unit 270 or the remote controller (not shown). Ifthe operation mode is the cooling operation, the compressor 110 isdriven and the expansion valve 130 is opened to allow the refrigerantcompressed by the compressor 110 to move to the indoor heat exchanger210 via the outdoor heat exchanger 120 and the expansion valve 130. Inthis manner, the air conditioner allows the refrigerant to be circulatedin the refrigeration cycle to perform the cooling operation.Furthermore, when the four-way valve 160 is provided, the airconditioner controls the flow passages of the four-way valve 160 toperform the cooling operation.

The air conditioner may perform the cooling operation in various workingmodes.

Before a working mode is selected by a user, the air conditioner mayperform a working mode that was performed before the air conditioner wasturned on or perform a default working mode (i.e. the normal mode).Here, the working mode may include the normal mode and the high speedmode.

When a working mode is input via the input unit 270 or the remotecontroller (not shown) of the indoor unit, the air conditioner checkswhether the input working mode is the normal mode or the high speed mode(operation S301).

If the checked working mode is the normal mode (“YES” to S301), the airconditioner checks whether airflow speed information and airflowdirection information is input (operation S302).

If there is no airflow speed information and airflow directioninformation input (“NO” to S302), the indoor unit 200 of the airconditioner rotates both the main fan 220 and the auxiliary fan 230 bypredetermined reference numbers of rotations (operation S303).

Specifically, the air conditioner rotates the main fan 220 by thepredetermined reference RPM to draw air of the air-conditioned space, toheat-exchange the drawn air, and to discharge the heat-exchanged airthrough the discharge portion 250 b at a reference airflow speed.

In addition, the indoor unit 200 of the air conditioner may rotate theauxiliary fan 230 by the predetermined reference RPM to apply a suctionforce to the airflow discharged through the discharge portion 250 b inorder to allow the airflow direction to be adjusted to a referencedirection. Here, air drawn by the rotation of the auxiliary fan 230 isdischarged again to the outside of the indoor unit 200 through the flowpassage portion 260.

In this manner, the indoor unit 200 of the air conditioner may rotatethe main fan 220 by the reference RPM and rotate the auxiliary fan 230also by the reference RPM during the normal mode to adjust the speed andthe direction of the airflow discharged to the air-conditioned space tobe the reference airflow speed and the reference airflow direction.After the operation S303, an operation S311 to be described below takesplace.

Unlike the above, when it is checked that information on the airflowspeed and the airflow direction is input while the normal mode isselected (“YES” to S302), the indoor unit 200 of the air conditionerchecks a target RPM of the main fan 220 corresponding to the inputairflow speed information and checks a target airflow anglecorresponding to the airflow direction information (operation S304).Also, an actual RPM of the second fan 230 is checked based on thechecked target RPM of the first fan 220 and the target airflow angle(operation S305).

Then, the air conditioner rotates the first fan 220 to follow thechecked target RPM of the main fan 220 and rotates the auxiliary fan 230to follow the checked target RPM of the auxiliary fan 230 (operationS306).

The controlling of the main fan 220 and the auxiliary fan 230 in thenormal mode will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. 11.

FIG. 11 is an exemplary view of setting RPM of the second fan inaccordance with airflow speed information and airflow directioninformation of the air conditioner according to an embodiment.

For example, the airflow speed information includes strong, medium, andweak in order of the strength and includes information on the RPM of themain fan 220 for forming an airflow speed at each strength. Also, theairflow direction information includes downward, middle, and upward inorder of the direction and includes information on the airflow angle forforming each airflow direction. That is, the airflow speed informationmay include strong (X), medium (Y), and weak (Z), and the airflowdirection information may include upward (A: 20°), middle (B: 45°), anddownward (C: 60°).

Here, the target RPM of the auxiliary fan 230 may be acquired bycombining the input airflow speed information and airflow directioninformation. For example, the RPM of the second fan 230 may be acquiredby f1(X, A) when “airflow speed strong” and “airflow direction upward”are input, and the RPM of the second fan 230 may be acquired by f8(Z, B)when “airflow speed weak” and “airflow direction middle” are input.Furthermore, the reference airflow speed is applied as the airflow speedinformation when the airflow speed information is not input, and thereference airflow direction is applied as the airflow directioninformation when the airflow direction information is not input.

Returning to FIG. 10, the air conditioner checks whether a shutdowncommand is input (operation S311).

When it is checked that the shutdown command has been input (“YES” toS311), the air conditioner stops both the main fan 220 and the auxiliaryfan 230. Here, the air conditioner may also stop the operations of thecompressor and the outdoor fan.

Unlike the above, when the shutdown command has not been input (“NO” toS311), the air conditioner continues to the operation S302 to performthe normal mode described above and continues the operation of thenormal mode.

In the operation S301, when the working mode is the high speed modeinstead of the normal mode (“NO” to S301), the air conditioner rotatesthe main fan 220 and the second fan 230 in predetermined forms for thehigh speed mode (operation S307).

Specifically, when performing the high speed mode, the air conditionerrotates the main fan 220 by the preset RPM to draw air of theair-conditioned space, heat-exchanges the drawn air, and discharges theheat-exchanged air through the discharge portion 250 b. Here, the mainfan 220 may also be rotated by the maximum RPM.

In addition, the air conditioner rotates the auxiliary fan 230 whilecyclically changing the RPM thereof (operation S308).

The indoor unit of the air conditioner rotates the auxiliary fan 230 byalternately and repeatedly rotating the auxiliary fan 230 by the firstRPM, the second RPM, and the third RPM in a predetermined cycle. Here,the second RPM may be greater than the first RPM, and the third RPM maybe greater than the second RPM.

This will be described with reference to FIGS. 12, 13, 14A, 14B, and 15.

FIGS. 12, 13, 14A, 14B, and 15 are exemplary views of controlling anairflow in a high speed mode of the air conditioner according to theembodiment.

As illustrated in FIG. 12, the indoor unit 200 of the air conditionerrotates the auxiliary fan 230 by the first RPM to adjust the airflowdirection to be D1, rotates the auxiliary fan 230 by the second RPMafter a predetermined amount of time to adjust the airflow direction tobe D2, rotates the auxiliary fan 230 by the third RPM after apredetermined amount of time to adjust to airflow direction to be D3,and rotates the auxiliary fan 230 by the first RPM after a predeterminedamount of time to adjust the airflow direction to be D1. Furthermore,the air conditioner may also adjust the airflow direction to be D3 androtate the auxiliary fan 230 by the second RPM to adjust the airflowdirection to be D2.

The RPM of the auxiliary fan 230 may be cyclically changed so that theairflow swings to discharge cold air in multiple directions of theindoor space. As a result, the air conditioner may rapidly cool theindoor space and generate a direct airflow of cold air that directlycomes in contact with the user.

In addition, the indoor unit 200 may also cyclically turn the operationof the auxiliary fan 230 on or off, in order to apply or remove thesuction force to or from the discharged airflow, thereby adjusting thedirection of the discharged airflow.

Returning to FIG. 10, the air conditioner checks an actual indoortemperature and a target temperature while the high speed mode isperformed and determines whether the actual indoor temperature hasreached the target temperature (operation S309).

In addition, when the actual indoor temperature is determined to havereached the target temperature, the auxiliary fan 230 is rotated by apreset RPM (operation S310).

As illustrated in FIG. 13, the indoor unit 200 rotates the auxiliary fan230 by the preset RPM to adjust the airflow direction to be D3 to allowthe airflow direction to head toward the surface of the ceiling. Bythis, the indoor unit prevents cold air from directly coming in contactwith the user. That is, the indoor unit 200 generates an indirectairflow.

In addition, when the auxiliary fan 230 is a fan that can only be turnedon or off, the indoor unit 200 may turn on the auxiliary fan 230 toallow the minimum airflow angle to be formed.

As illustrated in FIGS. 14A and 14B, the indoor unit 200 verticallyadjusts the airflow direction to discharge cold air to a wide area andallows a temperature of an indoor space to be maintained at a targettemperature when the indoor temperature reaches the target temperaturewhile adjusting the airflow direction upward to prevent the cold airfrom directly coming in contact with the user. In this way, a user feelspleasant.

As illustrated in FIG. 15, to rapidly lower the temperature of theindoor space, the indoor unit 200 controls the airflow to swing duringthe first section T1 until the indoor temperature reaches the targettemperature and after the indoor temperature reaches the targettemperature, controls the RPM of the auxiliary fan 230 to be the presetRPM during the second section T2 to maintain the temperature of theindoor space at the target temperature.

Returning to FIG. 10, the air conditioner determines whether a shutdowncommand has been input (operation S311).

When it is determined that the shutdown command has been input (“YES” toS311), the air conditioner stops the main fan and the auxiliary fan(operation S312). In addition, the air conditioner also stops theoperations of the compressor and the outdoor fan.

FIG. 16 is an example of a method of controlling the air conditioneraccording to the embodiment.

When a working mode is input via the input unit 270 or the remotecontroller (not shown) of the indoor unit, the air conditioner checkswhether the input working mode is the normal mode or the airflowcirculation mode (operation S401).

When the checked working mode is the normal mode (“YES” to S401), theair conditioner performs operations S402, S403, S404, S405, S406, S411,and S412 illustrated in FIG. 16. Here, because the operations S402,S403, S404, S405, S406, S411, and S412 are the same as the operationsS302, S303, S304, S305, S306, S311, and S312 described above withreference to FIG. 10, the description thereof will be omitted.

When the working mode is the airflow circulation mode instead of thenormal mode (“NO” to S401), the air conditioner rotates the main fan 220and the auxiliary fan 230 in predetermined forms for the airflowcirculation mode (operation S407).

Specifically, when the airflow circulation mode is performed, the airconditioner rotates the main fan 220 by the preset RPM to draw air ofthe air-conditioned space, heat-exchanges the drawn air, and dischargesthe heat-exchanged air through the discharge portion 250 b. Here, themain fan 220 may also be rotated by the maximum RPM.

Then, the air conditioner variably controls the rotational state of thesecond fan 230 (operation S408).

Specifically, the auxiliary fan 230 of the indoor unit 200 of the airconditioner may be rotated by the first RPM, the second RPM, and thethird RPM. Here, the second RPM may be greater than the first RPM, andthe third RPM may be greater than the second RPM. Here, an airflowdischarged from the indoor unit 200 when the auxiliary fan 230 rotatesby the first RPM is the same as D1 of FIG. 12 described above, anairflow discharged from the indoor unit 200 when the auxiliary fan 230rotates by the second RPM is the same as D2 of FIG. 12, and an airflowdischarged from the indoor unit 200 when the auxiliary fan 230 rotatesby the third RPM is the same as D3 of FIG. 12.

Because the plurality of auxiliary fans 230 are disposed in the indoorunit 200 of the air conditioner, when the RPM of each of the pluralityof auxiliary fans 230 is variably controlled independently, various newairflows in which airflow patterns of D1, D2, an D3 of FIG. 12 arecombined may be formed. This will be described with reference to FIGS.17A and 17B.

FIGS. 17A and 17B are a view illustrating an embodiment of formingvarious airflow patterns by variably controlling RPM of the plurality ofsecond fans disposed in the indoor unit of the air conditioner. FIG. 17Ais a table illustrating forms of variably controlling RPM of theauxiliary fan 230. In FIG. 17B, airflows formed by variably controllingRPM in each of the operation operations #1, #2, and #3 illustrated inthe table of FIG. 17A are separately shown. The plurality of auxiliaryfans 230 each are differentiated as an auxiliary fan A, an auxiliary fanB, and an auxiliary fan C.

In the initial operation, all of the plurality of auxiliary fans 230begin from an off state.

In the first operation #1 for realizing variable airflow patterns, theauxiliary fan A, the auxiliary fan B, and the auxiliary fan C arerotated by the first RPM, the second RPM, and the third RPM,respectively. Then, in the second operation #2, the auxiliary fan A, theauxiliary fan B, and the auxiliary fan C are rotated by the third RPM,the first RPM, and the second RPM, respectively. Then, in the thirdoperation #3, the auxiliary fan A, the auxiliary fan B, and theauxiliary fan C are rotated by the second RPM, the third RPM, and thefirst RPM, respectively. The first to third operations #1, #2, and #3are continuously repeated.

As in the above, the auxiliary fan A, the auxiliary fan B, and theauxiliary fan C are not rotated by the same RPM, but the auxiliary fanA, the auxiliary fan B, and the auxiliary fan C are rotated by differentRPM while the RPM of each of the auxiliary fan A, the auxiliary fan B,and the auxiliary fan C is not fixed and may be changed to a rotatingmanner every predetermined interval.

As a result, the pattern of the airflow discharged through the dischargeportion 250 b of the indoor unit 200 may be changed in various ways. Asillustrated in FIG. 17B, a combination of airflows discharged from thedischarge portion 250 b of the indoor unit 200 changes in everyoperation. That is, it can be recognized that the discharged airflowforms a D1-D2-D3 combination in the operation #1, the discharged airflowforms a D3-D1-D2 combination in the operation #2, and the dischargedairflow forms a D2-D3-D1 combination in the operation #3.

In this manner, the air conditioner may control a state of a dischargedairflow generated from at least one of the plurality of dischargeportions 250 b to be differentiated from states of discharged airflowsgenerated from remaining discharge portions while controlling theplurality of auxiliary fans 230 such that a position at which thedifferentiated discharged airflow is generated among the plurality ofdischarge portions 250 b cycles. By this, an effect of discharging anairflow while rotating the indoor unit 200 may be obtained.

The time duration for each of the first to third operations #1, #2, and#3 depends on a predetermined amount of time. To increase a speed atwhich variable airflow patterns are changed, the time duration for eachof the operations #1, #2, and #3 may be shortened (e.g. three seconds).Conversely, to relatively slow down the speed at which the variableairflow patterns are changed, the time duration for each of theoperations #1, #2, and #3 may be relatively extended (e.g. sevenseconds).

As in the above, the RPM of the auxiliary fan 230 may be cyclicallychanged to form various forms of discharged airflows such that cold airmay be discharged in multiple directions of the indoor space, therebyrapidly cooling the indoor space and generating a direct airflow of coldair that directly comes in contact with the user.

Furthermore, the indoor unit 200 may also turn the operation of theauxiliary fan 230 on or off, in order to apply or remove the suctionforce to or from the discharged airflow in order to adjust the directionof the discharged airflow. This will be described with reference toFIGS. 18A and 18B.

FIGS. 18A and 18B are a view illustrating an embodiment of formingvariable airflow patterns by variably controlling turning on or off theplurality of second fans disposed in the indoor unit of the airconditioner. FIG. 18A is a table illustrating forms of variablycontrolling turning on or off the second fan 230. In FIG. 18B, forms ofairflows discharged in each of the operations #1, #2, and #3 illustratedin the table of FIG. 18A are separately shown. The plurality ofauxiliary fans 230 each are differentiated as an auxiliary fan A, anauxiliary fan B, and an auxiliary fan C.

In the initial operation, all of the plurality of auxiliary fans 230begin from an off state.

In the first operation #1 for realizing variable airflow patterns, onlythe auxiliary fan A is turned on, and the remaining auxiliary fan B andauxiliary fan C are turned off. Then, in the second operation #2, onlythe auxiliary fan B is turned on, and the remaining auxiliary fan A andauxiliary fan C are turned off. Then, in the third operation #3, onlythe auxiliary fan C is turned on, and the remaining auxiliary fan B andauxiliary fan A are turned off. The first to third operations #1, #2,and #3 are continuously repeated.

An airflow Dn illustrated in FIG. 18B refers to any one of the airflowsD1, D2, and D3 formed in accordance with the RPM of the auxiliary fan230 as described above with reference to FIGS. 17A and 17B (n=1, 2, 3).That is, the airflow Dn formed by the auxiliary fan 230 which is turnedon among the plurality of auxiliary fans 230 may be any one of theairflows D1, D2, and D3 formed in accordance with the RPM of theauxiliary fan 230. Other airflows A1 illustrated in FIG. 18B refer todischarged airflows A1 when the auxiliary fan 230 does not operate. Thatis, an airflow same as Dn illustrated in FIG. 18B is formed when theauxiliary fan 230 is turned on, and airflows same as A1 in FIG. 18B areformed when the auxiliary fan 230 is turned off.

As in the above, the auxiliary fan A, the auxiliary fan B, and theauxiliary fan C are not controlled at once to be turned on or offuniformly, but at least one of the auxiliary fan A, the auxiliary fan B,and the auxiliary fan C is controlled to be turned off or turned onwhile the on/off state of each of the auxiliary fan A, the auxiliary fanB, and the auxiliary fan C is not fixed and may be switched to arotating manner every predetermined interval.

As a result, the pattern of the airflow discharged through the dischargeportion 250 b of the indoor unit 200 changes in various ways. Asillustrated in FIG. 18B, a combination of airflows discharged from thedischarge portion 250 b of the indoor unit 200 changes in everyoperation. That is, it can be recognized that the discharged airflowforms a Dn-A1-A1 combination in the operation #1, the discharged airflowforms an A1-Dn-A1 combination in the operation #2, and the dischargedairflow forms an A1-A1-Dn combination in the operation #3.

In this manner, the air conditioner may control a state of a dischargedairflow generated from at least one discharge portion of the pluralityof discharge portions 250 b to be differentiated from states ofdischarged airflows generated from remaining discharge portions whilecontrolling the plurality of auxiliary fans 230 such that a position atwhich the differentiated discharged airflow is generated among theplurality of discharge portions 250 b circulates. By this, an effect ofdischarging an airflow while rotating the indoor unit 200 may beobtained.

The time duration for each of the first to third operations #1, #2, and#3 depends on a predetermined amount of time. To increase a speed atwhich variable airflow patterns are changed, the time duration for eachof the operations #1, #2, and #3 may be shortened (e.g. three seconds).Conversely, to relatively slow down the speed at which the variableairflow patterns are changed, the time duration for each of theoperations #1, #2, and #3 may be relatively extended (e.g. sevenseconds).

Returning to FIG. 16, the air conditioner checks whether the workingmode is switched from the airflow circulation mode to the normal modewhile the airflow circulation mode is performed (operation S409).

When the working mode is switched from the airflow circulation mode tothe normal mode (“YES” to S409), the air conditioner continues to theoperation S402 to perform the normal mode.

Unlike the above, when the working mode is continuously maintained asthe airflow circulation mode (“NO” to S409), the air conditionercontinues to the operation S408 of variably controlling the rotationalstate of the auxiliary fan 230.

Forming variable airflow patterns by controlling RPM of the auxiliaryfan 230 is illustrated in FIGS. 17A and 17B, and forming variableairflow patterns by controlling an on/off state of the auxiliary fan 230is illustrated in FIGS. 18A and 18B.

The air conditioner according to the embodiment of the presentdisclosure is not limited to performing any one of controlling the RPMof the auxiliary fan 230 and controlling the on/off state of theauxiliary fan 230 and may form another form of variable airflows bycombining the controlling of the RPM and the controlling of the on/offstate of the auxiliary fan 230. For example, some of the auxiliary fanA, the auxiliary fan B, and the auxiliary fan C may have the on/offstate thereof controlled and the remaining auxiliary fans may have theRPM thereof controlled. In another example, some of the auxiliary fan A,the auxiliary fan B, and the auxiliary fan C may have the on/off statethereof controlled and the remaining auxiliary fans may have RPM thereofcontrolled, and after a predetermined amount of time passes, the rolesmay be exchanged with each other and some of the auxiliary fan A, theauxiliary fan B, and the auxiliary fan C may have RPM thereof controlledand the remaining auxiliary fans may have the on/off state thereofcontrolled.

In addition, although not illustrated in FIG. 16, when the shutdowncommand is generated while the airflow circulation mode is beingperformed, the rotations of the main fan 220 and the auxiliary fan 230may be stopped as in the operation S412 described above. Here, the airconditioner may also stop the operations of the compressor and theoutdoor fan.

FIG. 19 is a control flow chart of the defrosting operation of the airconditioner according to the embodiment, and FIG. 20 is an exemplaryview of adjusting an airflow during the defrosting operation of the airconditioner according to the embodiment.

The order of controlling the defrosting operation will be described withreference to FIGS. 19 and 20.

The air conditioner performs the heating operation (operation S801).

When a power-on signal is input via the input unit 270 or the remotecontroller (not shown) of the indoor unit, the air conditioner checks anoperation mode and controls the flow passages of the four-way valve 160when the operation mode is the heating operation. Also, the airconditioner drives the compressor 110 and adjusts the opening of theexpansion valve 130 to allow the refrigerant compressed by thecompressor 110 to move to the indoor heat exchanger 210 via the four-wayvalve 160.

Here, the refrigerant of the indoor heat exchanger 210 is delivered tothe outdoor heat exchanger 120 via the expansion valve 130. In thismanner, the air conditioner may allow the refrigerant to be circulatedin the heating cycle to perform the heating operation. Here, the outdoorheat exchanger 120 of the outdoor unit serves as an evaporator. As thetime of performing the heating operation increases, dew is formed andfrost is generated on the surface of the outdoor heat exchanger 120.

The air conditioner performs the heating operation in the normal mode orthe high speed mode. The air conditioner may adjust the direction ofairflow discharged through the discharge portion while controlling theRPM of the main fan 220 of the indoor unit 200 based on a selectedworking mode and controlling the RPM of the auxiliary fan 230 based onthe RPM of the main fan 220.

As in the above, the air conditioner determines a start of thedefrosting operation for removing the frost on the outdoor heatexchanger 120 while performing the heating operation (operation S802).

The determining of the start of the defrosting operation includeschecking a defrosting temperature corresponding to a detected outdoortemperature and comparing the checked defrosting temperature with thedetected temperature of the outdoor heat exchanger to determine as thestart of the defrosting operation when the temperature of the outdoorheat exchanger is equal to or lower than the defrosting temperature.

The checking of the defrosting temperature takes into consideration thatthe temperature of the outdoor heat exchanger may vary in accordancewith the outdoor temperature and whether the frost is formed, and checksthe temperature of the outdoor heat exchanger when the frost is formedat each outdoor temperature in order to accurately recognize whether thefrost is formed.

In addition, the determining of the start of the defrosting operationmay also include counting the operation time of the compressor while theheating operation is being performed, and determining as the start ofthe defrosting operation when the counted operation time of thecompressor is equal to or longer than a preset amount of time.

When the start of the defrosting operation is determined (“YES” toS802), the air conditioner switches the flow passages of the four-wayvalve 160 to perform the cooling cycle in order to perform thedefrosting operation (operation S803).

Here, the outdoor heat exchanger of the outdoor unit serves as acondenser, and the indoor heat exchanger of the indoor unit serves as anevaporator.

Then, the air conditioner stops the rotation of the main fan 220(operation S804) and rotates the auxiliary fan 230 (operation S805). Asa result, air flowed to the indoor space is drawn again.

As illustrated in FIG. 20, a process, in which air of the indoor spaceis forcibly drawn and air heat-exchanged in the indoor heat exchanger isforcibly discharge, does not occur because he main fan 220 of the indoorunit is stopped, however, a state, in which air naturally heat-exchangedin the indoor heat exchanger 210 that serves as an evaporator isdischarged to the indoor space, occurs during the defrosting operation.

Accordingly, the indoor unit 200 rotates the auxiliary fan 230 to adjustthe direction of the airflow discharged through the discharge portion tobe upward. By this, the air naturally heat-exchanged in the indoor heatexchanger 210 may be prevented from moving to the indoor space.

The rotating of the auxiliary fan 230 includes checking the RPM of themain fan 220 during the heating operation right before the defrostingoperation and controlling the RPM of the auxiliary fan 230 based on thechecked RPM of the main fan 220.

The air conditioner determines an end of the defrosting operation whileperforming the defrosting operation (operation S806).

Here, the determining of the end of the defrosting operation includesdetecting the temperature of the outdoor heat exchanger while performingthe defrosting operation, determining whether the detected temperatureof the outdoor heat exchanger is equal to or higher than a presettemperature, and determining as the end of the defrosting operation whenthe detected temperature of the outdoor heat exchanger is determined tobe equal to or higher than the preset temperature.

In addition, the determining of the end of the defrosting operation mayalso include counting the operation time of the defrosting while thedefrosting operation is being performed and determining whether thecounted operation time of the defrosting has exceeded a preset amount oftime.

When the end of the defrosting operation is determined to have arrived(“YES” to S806), the air conditioner stops the auxiliary fan 230(operation S807).

In addition, the air conditioner switches the flow passages of thefour-way valve 160 and rotates the main fan 220 again to perform theheating operation.

The air conditioner may perform the heating operation in a working modethat was performed right before the defrosting operation. When however,the working mode is changed by the user, the main fan 220 and theauxiliary fan 230 are rotated based on the changed working mode.

FIG. 21 is a control flow chart of an air conditioner according to anembodiment.

When a power-on signal is input via the input unit 270 or the remotecontroller (not shown) of the indoor unit 200, the air conditionerchecks an operation mode, and when the operation mode is the coolingoperation, drives the compressor 110 and opens the expansion valve 130to allow the refrigerant compressed by the compressor 110 to move to theindoor heat exchanger 210 via the outdoor heat exchanger 120 and theexpansion valve 130. In this manner, the air conditioner allows therefrigerant to be circulated in the cooling cycle to perform the coolingoperation. Furthermore, when the four-way valve is disposed, the airconditioner controls the flow passages of the four-way valve 160 toperform the cooling operation.

The air conditioner may perform the cooling operation in various workingmodes. Here, the working modes may include the normal mode and the highspeed mode.

When a working mode is input via the input unit 270 or the remotecontroller (not shown) of the indoor unit 200, the air conditionerdetermines whether the input working mode is the normal mode or the highspeed mode (operation S501).

When the checked working mode is the normal mode (“YES” to S501), theair conditioner performs operations S502, S503, S504, S505, S506, S512,and S513. Because the operations S502, S503, S504, S505, S506, S512, andS513 are the same as the operations S302, S303, S304, S305, S306, S311,and S312 described above with reference to FIG. 10, the descriptionthereof will be omitted.

When the high speed mode is input (“NO” to S501), the air conditioneractivates the operation of the third detection unit 244 to detect ahuman body in the indoor space (operation S507).

When a human body is detected, the air conditioner checks the positionof the human body (operation S508) and checks an airflow anglecorresponding to the checked position.

In addition, the air conditioner rotates the main fan 220 by the presetRPM (operation S509), checks the RPM of the auxiliary fan 230corresponding to the RPM of the main fan 220 and the airflow angle(operation S510), and rotates the auxiliary fan 230 by the checked RPM(operation S511).

As in the above, when performing in the high speed mode, the airconditioner rotates the main fan 220 by the preset RPM to draw air ofthe indoor space, heat-exchanges the drawn air, and discharges theheat-exchanged air through the discharge portion. Here, the main fan 220may also be rotated by the maximum RPM.

Then, the air conditioner controls the RPM of the auxiliary fan 230 toadjust the direction of the airflow discharged from the indoor unit 200to head toward the position of the user, thereby generating a directairflow of cold air that directly comes in contact with the user.

Then, the air conditioner determines whether the shutdown command hasbeen input (operation S512), and, stops the main fan 220 and theauxiliary fan 230 (operation S513) when it is determined that theshutdown command has been input (“YES” to S512). In addition, the airconditioner also stops the operations of the compressor and the outdoorfan.

FIG. 22 is a control flow chart of an air conditioner according to anembodiment.

When a power-on signal is input via the input unit 270 or the remotecontroller (not shown) of the indoor unit, the air conditioner suppliesoperating power to various types of loads in the indoor unit and theoutdoor unit.

When an operation command is received (“YES” to S601), the airconditioner determines whether the received operation command is aninitial operation command (operation S602).

When the received operation command is determined to be an initialoperation command (“YES” to S602), the air conditioner checks the amountof dust in the filter portion based on the information detected by thefourth detection unit 245 and stores the checked amount of dust as afirst amount of dust (operation S603).

The air conditioner drives the various types of loads in the indoor unitand the outdoor unit to perform an operation mode, i.e. the heatingoperation or the cooling operation (operation S604).

The air conditioner may perform the cooling operation in various workingmodes. Here, the working modes may include the normal mode and the highspeed mode, and because the operations to control the normal mode andthe high speed mode are the same as in the previous embodiment, thedescription thereof will be omitted.

While performing an operation mode, the air conditioner checks the RPMof the main fan 220 and the auxiliary fan 230 based on a working mode,airflow direction information, and airflow speed information and rotateseach of the main fan 220 and the auxiliary fan 230 by the checked RPM(operation S605).

The air conditioner checks a second amount of dust in the filter portionin a predetermined cycle during the operation (operation S606).

Here, the checking of the amount of dust in the filter portion mayinclude using an optical sensor to detect the amount of light andchecking the amount of dust corresponding to the detected amount oflight, may include using an air pressure sensor to detect the airpressure and checking the amount of dust corresponding to the detectedair pressure, or may include detecting the current of the first motorand checking the amount of dust corresponding to the detected current.

In addition, the checking of the amount of dust in the filter portionmay include checking a duty ratio of the PWM for rotating the firstmotor 221 by the maximum RPM.

The air conditioner checks a value for compensating the RPM of theauxiliary fan 230 corresponding to the first amount of dust and thesecond amount of dust to compensate for the RPM of the auxiliary fan 230(operation S607).

When the airflow speed decreases due to the RPM of the main fan 220decreasing due to dust in the filter portion, the air conditioner maylower RPM of the auxiliary fan 230 to maintain the airflow direction.

In addition, when the checked amount of dust is equal to or larger thana reference amount of dust, the air conditioner outputs cleaninginformation for performing cleaning.

When clean information is input to the input unit (operation S608), theair conditioner initializes the compensation value of the auxiliary fan230 (operation S609).

The air conditioner determines whether the shutdown command has beeninput (operation S610), and stops the main fan and the auxiliary fan(operation S611) when it is determined that shutdown command has beeninput (“YES” to S610). In addition, the air conditioner also stops theoperations of the compressor and the outdoor fan.

FIG. 23 is an exemplary view of airflow control units AP3 disposed inthe air conditioner according to an embodiment. Furthermore, likereference numerals will be given to like elements which are the same asthose in FIG. 2 described above, and the description thereof will beomitted.

The airflow control units AP3 may include at least one auxiliary fan 230to generate a suction force for suctioning in air around the dischargeportion 250 b, the second motor 231 to apply a driving force to each ofthe auxiliary fans 230, and the flow passage portion 260 to form a flowpassage for guiding air drawn by each of the auxiliary fans 230.

The flow passage portion 260 includes the inlet portion 260 a to drawthe air around the discharge portion 250 b, a first outlet portion 260 bto discharge the drawn air toward the discharge portion, and a secondoutlet portion 260 c to discharge the drawn air toward the indoor heatexchanger.

In addition, the flow passage portion 260 may further include the firstflow passage 261 formed at the outer portion of the housing 250 in thecircumferential direction to communicate with the inlet portion 260 a,the second flow passage 262 configured to extend from the first flowpassage 261 to the radial inner portion, and the third flow passage 263formed in the case 232. Consequently, the air drawn through the inletportion 260 a may pass through the first flow passage 261, the secondflow passage 262, and the third flow passage 263 and be dischargedthrough the first outlet portion 260 b or the second outlet portion 260c.

Furthermore, the flow passage portion 260 may further include a firstopening-and-closing member 265 disposed in the third flow passage 263 toopen and close the first outlet portion 260 b and a secondopening-and-closing member 266 disposed in the second flow passage 262to open and close the second outlet portion 260 c. Here, the firstopening-and-closing member 265 and the second opening-and-closing member266 may be dampers.

The airflow control units AP3 may discharge the drawn air in theopposite direction of the direction A1 in which the discharged airflows, may enlarge the angle of the discharged airflow, and may furtherfacilitate controlling of the airflow. That is, when the direction ofthe discharged airflow is the direction A1 when the plurality ofauxiliary fans 230 of the airflow control units AP3 do not operate, theplurality of auxiliary fans 230 of the airflow control units AP3 mayoperate to draw air from one direction off of the direction A1, therebyswitching the direction of the discharged airflow to the direction A2.

Here, switching of the angle of the discharged airflow may be adjustedin accordance with the amount of air drawn by the auxiliary fan 230.That is, the angle of the discharged airflow may be switched to a smallangle when the amount of air drawn by the auxiliary fan 230 is large,and the angle of the discharged airflow may be switched to a large anglewhen the amount of air drawn by the auxiliary fan 230 is small. Here,the angle of the discharged airflow is based on the surface of theceiling. That is, the angle of the discharged airflow is 0° in thehorizontal direction corresponding to the surface of the ceiling and is90° in the direction perpendicular to the surface of the ceiling.

The structure of the flow passage portion 260 of the embodiment ismerely an example, and the flow passage portion 260 may have anystructure, shape, and arrangement as long as the flow passage portion260 connects the inlet portion 260 a, the first outlet portion 260 b,and the second outlet portion 260 c.

FIG. 24 is a control block diagram of an air conditioner according to anembodiment.

The air conditioner according to an embodiment includes the outdoor unit100 and the indoor unit 200, and the outdoor unit 100 and the indoorunit 200 communicate with each other. That is, the outdoor unit 100 andthe indoor unit 200 transmit and receive information on each other,i.e., information of the outdoor unit 100 and information of the indoorunit 200.

The outdoor unit 100 of the air conditioner includes the first drivingmodule 190 for controlling various types of devices such as the firstdetection unit 150, the compressor, and the expansion valve, etc.Because the first detection unit 150 and the first driving module 190are the same as those included in the outdoor unit 100 in the embodimentillustrated in FIG. 9, the description thereof will be omitted.

The indoor unit 200 of the air conditioner includes the second detectionunit 240, the input unit 270, the display unit 280, and the seconddriving module 290. Because the second detection unit 240, the inputunit 270, and the display unit 280 are the same as those included in theindoor unit 200 in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 9, the descriptionthereof will be omitted.

The second driving module 290 controls rotations of the main fan 220 andthe auxiliary fan 230 based on the information input to the input unit270 and the information detected by the second detection unit 240 andincludes the second control unit 291, the second storage unit 292, thesecond communication unit 293, the second driving unit 294, and thethird driving unit 294 c. Because the second storage unit 292, thesecond communication unit 293, and the second driving unit 294 are thesame as those included in the indoor unit 200 in the embodimentillustrated in FIG. 9, the description thereof will be omitted.

The second control unit 291 controls operations of the main fan 220, theauxiliary fan 230, etc. based on the information input to the input unit270 and the information received by the second communication unit 293.

When the normal mode is selected, the second control unit 291 controlsthe first opening-and-closing member 265 to be open to open the firstoutlet portion 260 b and controls the second opening-and-closing member266 to be closed to close the second outlet portion 260 c. By this, thesecond control unit 291 allows air introduced by the auxiliary fan 230to be discharged to the discharge portion.

In addition, when the normal mode is selected, the second control unit291 controls the main fan 220 and the auxiliary fan 230 so that anairflow having a reference airflow speed and a reference airflowdirection is discharged. In the normal mode, when information on theairflow speed and the airflow direction is input, the second controlunit 291 checks the RPM of the main fan 220 corresponding to the inputairflow speed information, checks an airflow angle corresponding to theairflow direction information, and controls the RPM of the auxiliary fan230 based on the checked RPM of the main fan 220 and the airflow angle.

When the high speed mode is selected, the second control unit 291controls the main fan 220 by the preset RPM and controls the RPM of theauxiliary fan 230 based on the RPM of the main fan 220.

FIG. 25 is a control flow chart of the air conditioner according anembodiment, and FIGS. 26 and 27 are exemplary views of airflows in theindoor unit disposed in the air conditioner according to an embodiment.

When a power-on signal is input via the input unit 270 or the remotecontroller (not shown) of the indoor unit, the air conditioner checks anoperation mode and performs the checked operation mode.

The air conditioner may perform the heating operation or the coolingoperation in various working modes. Here, the working modes may includethe normal mode and the high speed mode.

When a working mode is input via the input unit 270 or the remotecontroller (not shown) of the indoor unit, the air conditionerdetermines whether the input working mode is the normal mode or the highspeed mode (operation S701).

When the checked working mode is the normal mode (“YES” to S701), theair conditioner opens the first opening-and-closing member 265 andcloses the second opening-and-closing member 266 (operation S702).

When the checked operation mode is the normal mode, as illustrated inFIG. 26, the air conditioner controls the first opening-and-closingmember 265 to be open to open the first outlet portion 260 b andcontrols the second opening-and-closing member 266 to be closed to closethe second outlet portion 260 c. By this, air introduced by theauxiliary fan 230 may be discharged to the discharge portion.

In addition, the air conditioner determines whether information on theairflow speed and the airflow direction is input in the normal mode(operation S703), and rotates the main fan 220 and the auxiliary fan 230by the reference RPM (operation S704) when it is determined that thereis no input information on the airflow speed and the airflow direction(“NO” to S703).

Specifically, the air conditioner rotates the main fan 220 by thereference RPM to draw air of the indoor space, heat-exchanges the drawnair, and discharges the heat-exchanged air through the discharge portionat a reference airflow speed. In addition, the indoor unit of the airconditioner rotates the auxiliary fan 230 by the reference RPM to applya suction force to the airflow discharged through the discharge portionand adjusts the airflow direction to be a reference direction. Here, airdrawn by the rotation of the auxiliary fan 230 is discharged again tothe outside of the indoor unit through the flow passage portion 260.

In this manner, the indoor unit 200 of the air conditioner may rotatethe main fan 220 by the reference RPM and rotate the auxiliary fan 230by the reference RPM during the normal mode to adjust the speed and thedirection of the airflow discharged to the indoor space to be thereference airflow speed and the reference airflow direction.

When it is determined that the airflow speed information and the airflowdirection information have been input while the normal mode is selected(“YES” to S703), the air conditioner checks the RPM of the main fan 220corresponding to the airflow speed information and the airflow anglecorresponding to the airflow direction information (operation S705), andchecks the RPM of the auxiliary fan 230 based on the RPM of the main fan220 and the airflow angle checked (operation S706).

Then, the air conditioner rotates the main fan 220 and the auxiliary fan230 by the checked RPM (operation S707). Furthermore, the referenceairflow speed is applied as the airflow speed information when theairflow speed information is not input, and the reference airflowdirection is applied as the airflow direction information when theairflow direction information is not input.

When the high speed mode is input (“NO” to S701), the air conditionercloses the first opening-and-closing member 265 and opens the secondopening-and-closing member 266 (operation S708).

As illustrated in FIG. 27, the indoor unit 200 controls the firstopening-and-closing member 265 to be closed to close the first outletportion 260 b and controls the second opening-and-closing member 266 tobe opened to open the second outlet portion 260 c. In this way, the airintroduced by the auxiliary fan 230 may be discharged to the indoor heatexchanger. In this manner, the indoor unit 200 re-suctions in thedischarged air, thereby compensating for a temperature of discharged airat an initial stage of cooling and heating operations and improvingcooling and heating temperatures sensed by the user.

In addition, the air conditioner rotates the main fan 220 by the presetRPM, checks the RPM of the auxiliary fan 230 corresponding to the RPM ofthe main fan and the airflow angle, and rotates the auxiliary fan 230 bythe RPM checked. Here, the air conditioner may also rotate the main fan220 by the maximum RPM.

Furthermore, the air conditioner may determine whether the airflowdirection information and the airflow speed information have been inputeven in the high speed mode, and, when the airflow direction informationand the airflow speed information have been input, may control the RPMof the main fan 220 and the auxiliary fan 230 based on the airflowdirection information and the airflow speed information.

The air conditioner determines whether the shutdown command has beeninput (operation S709) and, when it is determined that the shutdowncommand has been input, stops the main fan and the auxiliary fan(operation S710).

In the above, an operation of controlling an airflow direction based onthe circular ceiling-mounted indoor unit has been described. However,the structure of the indoor unit is not limited to be formed in thecircular shape and being installed on the ceiling.

In other words, the indoor unit may have any shape as long as the indoorunit includes a main fan that generates an airflow and an auxiliary fanthat changes the direction of the airflow, and the shape of the indoorunit may be changed in various ways. For example, the indoor unit may bea quadrilateral ceiling-mounted indoor unit, a wall-mounted indoor unit,or a stand-type indoor unit.

Hereinafter, another example among various structures of an indoor unitwill be described.

FIGS. 28 and 29 are exemplary views of an indoor unit of an airconditioner according to an embodiment. Like reference numerals will begiven to like elements overlapping with those in the embodimentsmentioned above, and the description thereof will be omitted.

As illustrated in FIG. 28, an indoor unit 200-2 of an air conditionerincludes the housing 250 having a nearly quadrilateral shape when viewedin the vertical direction.

The suction portion 250 a through which air is drawn may be formed at acentral portion of a bottom surface of the housing 250, and thedischarge portion 250 b through which air is discharged may be formed ata radial outer portion of the bottom surface of the suction portion.

The discharge portion 250 b may have a nearly quadrilateral shape whenviewed in the vertical direction and corner portions thereof may beroundly formed.

Although the discharge portion of the indoor unit of the conventionalair conditioner can only have a straight shape in order to rotate theblade, the discharge portion 250 b according to the embodiment does nothave a blade structure and thus may have the rounded corner portions.

In addition, the discharge portion 250 b may have various polygonalshapes including a triangular shape, a pentagonal shape, a hexagonalshape, etc. other than the quadrilateral shape.

In the housing 250, the indoor heat exchanger 210 and the main fan 220,the auxiliary fan 230, and the flow passage portion 260 disposed in theradial inner portion of the indoor heat exchanger 210 to circulate airmay be disposed.

The indoor heat exchanger 210 includes the header 211 connected to anexternal refrigerant tube to supply or recover refrigerant to or fromthe tube 212 and the tube 212 through which refrigerant flows.

Here, an airflow of heat-exchanged air may be generated by the main fan220, and a direction of the airflow may be changed by the auxiliary fan230.

In addition, unlike the indoor unit illustrated in FIG. 28, the indoorunit 200-2 of the air conditioner may have the discharge portion 250 bformed with each side formed in a curved shape as illustrated in FIG.29. That is, the discharge portion 250 b may have a nearly quadrilateralshape as a whole when viewed in the vertical direction while each sidethereof is formed in a curved shape instead of a straight shape.

FIGS. 30 and 31 are exemplary views of an indoor unit of an airconditioner according to an embodiment. Specifically, FIGS. 30 and 31illustrate a wall-mounted indoor unit 200-3, FIG. 30 is a perspectiveview of the wall-mounted indoor unit 200-3, and FIG. 31 is a sidecross-sectional view of the wall-mounted indoor unit 200-3. Likereference numerals will be given to like elements overlapping with thosein the embodiments mentioned above, and the description thereof will beomitted.

As illustrated in FIG. 30, the indoor unit 200-3 may be installed on awall W.

The indoor unit 200-3 of the air conditioner includes the housing 250having the suction portion 250 a and the discharge portion 250 b.

The housing 250 includes a rear housing 256 coupled to the wall W and afront housing 257 coupled to a front portion of the rear housing 256.

The suction portion 250 a through which air is drawn may be formed at afront surface and an upper surface of the front housing 257, and thedischarge portion 250 b through which air is discharged may be formed ata lower portion of the front housing 257.

As in the embodiments mentioned above, the discharge portion 250 b mayhave various shapes including a circular shape, a polygonal shape, acurved shape, etc. Consequently, the indoor unit 200-3 of the airconditioner may draw air from the front portion and the upper portion,heat-exchange the air, and discharge the heat-exchanged air through thelower portion. The housing 250 may have a Coanda curved surface portion257 a to guide air discharged through the discharge portion 250 b. Thehousing 250 may guide the airflow discharged through the dischargeportion 250 b to flow while in close contact with the Coanda curvedsurface portion 257 a.

The indoor unit 200-3 includes the indoor heat exchanger 210 disposed inthe housing 250 and the main fan 220 to circulate air. Here, the mainfan 220 may be a cross-flow fan.

The indoor unit 200-3 of the air conditioner further includes theairflow control units AP to draw air around the discharge portion 250 bto change the pressure in order to control the direction of thedischarged airflow.

The airflow control units AP may include at least one auxiliary fan 230to generate a suction force for suctioning in the air around thedischarge portion 250 b, the second motor 231 to apply a driving forceto each of the auxiliary fans 230, and the flow passage portion 260 toform a flow passage for guiding air drawn by each of the auxiliary fans230.

The flow passage portion 260 may include the inlet portion 260 a to drawthe air around the discharge portion 250 b, the outlet portion 260 b todischarge the drawn air, and a flow passage to connect the inlet portion260 a to the outlet portion 260 b. Furthermore, the inlet portion 260 amay be formed at the Coanda curved surface portion 257 a of the housing250.

Here, an airflow of heat-exchanged air is generated by the main fan 220,and the direction of the airflow may be changed from A1 to A2 or A2 toA1 by the auxiliary fan 230.

FIGS. 32 and 33 are exemplary views of an indoor unit of an airconditioner according to an embodiment. FIGS. 32 and 33 illustrate astand-type indoor unit 200-4, FIG. 32 is a perspective view of thestand-type indoor unit 200-4, and FIG. 33 is a side cross-sectional viewof the stand-type indoor unit 200-4. Like reference numerals will begiven to like elements overlapping with those in the embodimentsmentioned above, and the description thereof will be omitted.

As illustrated in FIG. 32, the indoor unit 200-4 of the air conditionermay be disposed to stand on a floor surface F.

The indoor unit 200-4 of the air conditioner includes the housing 250having the suction portion 250 a and the discharge portion 250 b. Thehousing 250 includes the rear housing 256 having the suction portion 250a disposed at an upper portion and left and right side surfaces thereofand the front housing 257 coupled to the rear housing 256 and having thedischarge portion 250 b disposed. Consequently, the indoor unit 200-4 ofthe air conditioner may draw air from the front portion and the sideportion, heat-exchange the air, and discharge the heat-exchanged airthrough the front portion. As in the embodiments mentioned above, thedischarge portion 250 b may have various shapes including a circularshape, a polygonal shape, a curved shape, etc.

The housing 250 may have the Coanda curved surface portion 257 a toguide air discharged through the discharge portion 250 b. The housing250 may guide the airflow discharged through the discharge portion 250 bto flow in close contact with the Coanda curved surface portion 257 a.

The indoor unit 200-4 includes the indoor heat exchanger 210 disposed inthe housing 250, a plurality of main fans 220 to circulate air, and thefirst motor 221 to apply a driving force to the plurality of main fans220. Here, the plurality of main fans 220 may be a mixed-flow fan or anaxial-flow fan.

The indoor unit 200-4 of the air conditioner further includes theairflow control units AP to draw air around the discharge portion 250 bto change the pressure in order to control the direction of thedischarged airflow. Here, the airflow control units AP may be disposedaround each of the plurality of main fans 220. Furthermore, theplurality of airflow control units AP may be disposed around one mainfan 220.

The airflow control units AP may include the auxiliary fan 230 togenerate a suction force for suctioning in the air around the dischargeportion 250 b, the second motor 231 to drive the auxiliary fan 230, andthe flow passage portion 260 to guide the air drawn by the auxiliary fan230.

The flow passage portion 260 may include the inlet portion 260 a to drawthe air around the discharge portion 250 b, the outlet portion 260 b todischarge the drawn air, and the flow passage 261 to connect the inletportion 260 a to the outlet portion 260 b. Furthermore, the inletportion 260 a may be formed at the Coanda curved surface portion 257 aof the housing 250.

Here, an airflow of heat-exchanged air is generated by the main fan 220,and the direction of the airflow may be changed from A1 to A2 or A2 toA1 by the auxiliary fan 230.

Furthermore, in the case of the indoor unit having the plurality of mainfans 220, one main fan 220 may serve as a main fan and draw air of theindoor space, heat-exchange the drawn air, and discharge theheat-exchanged air, and fans disposed adjacent to the main fan may serveas auxiliary fans and adjust the direction of the airflow dischargedthrough the discharge portion.

In the above, the operation of controlling a direction of an airflowbased on the indoor unit not including a blade has been described.However, the indoor unit is not limited to not including a blade.

In other words, the indoor unit may include a blade.

Hereinafter, an example of an indoor unit including a blade will bedescribed.

FIGS. 34 and 35 are exemplary views of an indoor unit of an airconditioner according to an embodiment. Specifically, FIG. 34 is across-sectional view illustrating the configuration of the airconditioner, and FIG. 35 is a perspective view illustrating a state inwhich a ceiling panel of the air conditioner is disassembled.

As illustrated in FIGS. 34 and 35, a ceiling-mounted air conditionerincludes a box-shaped casing 910 inserted into a ceiling 901, having ablower device 920 and a heat exchanger 930 disposed therein, and havinga lower portion thereof opened, a drain member 940 configured to gathercondensate of the heat exchanger 930 and discharge the condensate to theoutside and coupled to the lower portion of the casing 910, and aceiling panel 970 coupled to the drain member 940 and configured tocover an opening 901 a of the ceiling 901.

The casing 910 is formed nearly in the shape of a hollow enclosure inorder to mount the blower device 920 and the heat exchanger 930 therein,and an insulating member 911 formed with foamed polystyrene is attachedto an inner surface of the casing 910 for insulation. An adhesive may beused in attaching the insulating member 911.

In the casing 910, the blower device 920 disposed at a central portionto provide a forcibly blowing force and the heat exchanger 930 disposedat a radial outer portion of the blower device 920 to heat-exchange airintroduced into the casing 910 by the blower device 920 are disposed.

The blower device 920 includes a blower fan 921 to draw air from thebottom and discharge the air in the radial direction and a driving motor922 to drive the blower fan 921, and the driving motor 922 is fixed toan inner upper surface of the casing 910.

The heat exchanger 930 is disposed around the blower fan 921 in the formof encompassing the blower fan 921 to exchange heat with air dischargedfrom the blower fan 921.

The drain member 940 includes a drain tray 950 disposed at a lowerportion of the heat exchanger 930 to gather and discharge condensategenerated in a heat exchange process, a cold air flow passage 951 formedat an outer portion of the drain tray 950 to guide heat-exchanged coldair to a discharge portion 972, and a partition unit 960 formed at aninner portion of the drain tray 950 to divide an inner space of thecasing 910 into a blower device region and an outer region.

The drain tray 950 supports the lower portion of the heat exchanger 930and is formed in the shape of a groove to allow the condensate generatedon the outer surface of the heat exchanger 930 to flow down and becollected in the drain tray 950.

The partition unit 960 is formed in the shape of a flat plate having anopening 961. The opening 961 of the partition unit 960 is formed to havea larger diameter than the outer diameter of the blower fan 921 to allowthe blower fan 921 to pass therethrough. This is to enable the blowerfan 921 to be detached through the opening 961 when attempting to detachthe blower fan 921 for maintenance and repair, etc. of the driving motor922. That is, the blower fan 921 may be detached even without detachingthe partition unit 960. Here, the partition unit 960 may be integrallyformed with the drain tray 950, or the partition unit 960 and the draintray 950 may also be provided as separate members so that the edge ofthe partition unit 960 may be coupled to the inner circumferential sideof the drain member 940.

The cold air flow passage 951 is formed at a position corresponding tothe discharge portion 972 to communicate with the discharge portion 972of the ceiling panel 970 to be described below at the outer portion ofthe drain tray 950. Consequently, a gap in the cold air flow passage 951in the width direction W is correspondingly formed to be equal to orsmaller than a gap of the discharge portion 972 in the width directionW.

However, a gap of the cold air flow passage 951 in a longitudinaldirection L is formed to be smaller than a gap of the discharge portion972 of the ceiling panel 970 in the longitudinal direction L. This is toallow the drain member 940 installed at an inner portion of thedischarge portion 972 to cover a refrigerant tube and other partsinstalled at an inner portion of the ceiling panel 970 in order toprevent the inner parts of the casing 910 from being exposed to theoutside through the discharge portion 972. That is, because the airconditioner according to still another embodiment of the presentdisclosure has four discharge portions 972 formed in the same shape toprovide an aesthetic exterior, an inner part may be inevitably disposedin at least one of the discharge portions 972. Thus, the cold air flowpassage 951 installed at the inner portion of the discharge portion 972is formed to be small to prevent the inner part from being exposed tothe outside through the discharge portion 972.

In addition, a bell mouth member 962 is disposed at the lower portion ofthe partition unit 960. The bell mouth member 962 includes a centralopening 962 a through which drawn air passes and an air guide surface962 b formed at the opening 962 a in a bent form. The circumferentialportion of the bell mouth member 962 is detachably coupled to theopening 961 of the partition unit 960. The bell mouth member 962 guidesair introduced through a suction port 971 of the ceiling panel 970toward a suctioning side of the blower fan 921.

A control box 963 in which a plurality of electronic parts forcontrolling an operation of the air conditioner are embedded isinstalled at one portion of a lower surface of the partition unit 960.The control box 963 is fixed to the lower surface of the partition unit960 close to the drain tray 950.

The lower surface of the drain member 940 is supported by the uppersurface of the ceiling panel 970. While the bell mouth member 962 andthe control box 963 are coupled to the drain member 940 as in the above,the ceiling panel 970 is coupled to the drain member 940.

The suction port 971 for suctioning indoor air is formed at a centralportion of the ceiling panel 970, and the plurality of dischargeportions 972 are formed at the outer portion of the suction port 971.The plurality of discharge portions 972 are formed at positionscorresponding to the cold air flow passage 951 of the drain member 940.

In addition, a filter (971 a) to filter air introduced through thesuction port 971 is installed at the suction port 971 of the ceilingpanel 970. Also, a blade 973 to guide discharged air while rotatingalong a predetermined section is installed at each of the dischargeportions 972. The blade 973 is operated by a motor (not shown) thatrotates in the forward direction and the reverse direction.

The discharge portions 972 are formed in the same shape at each of thefour places near the four sides of the ceiling panel 970. The dischargeportions 972 are formed in the shape of a channel extending in thelongitudinal direction L, the width direction W, and a thicknessdirection H to have a rectangular cross-section and allow heat-exchangedcold air that has passed through the cold air flow passage in thethickness direction H to be discharged to the indoor space.

FIG. 36 is a view illustrating states of blades of the air conditioneraccording to the embodiment and forms of discharged airflows inaccordance with the states of the blades.

As illustrated in FIG. 36, operations of the blades 973 may includebeing open, being closed, being open by a predetermined angle, andswinging by the predetermined angle. The opening of the blades 973illustrated in (A) of FIG. 36 is a state in which the blades 973 areopened by the maximum angle. The closing of the blades 973 illustratedin (B) of FIG. 36 is a state in which the blades 973 are completelyclosed. The opening of the blades 973 by a predetermined angle is astate in which the blades 973 discharge airflows while being maintainedat any angle between being open and being closed. The swinging of theblades 973 illustrated in (D) of FIG. 36 is a state in which the blades973 swing back and forth within a range of any angle between being openand being closed.

FIGS. 37A and 37B are a view illustrating an embodiment of formingvariable airflow patterns by variably controlling swinging/fixing of theplurality of blades disposed in the indoor unit of the air conditioner.FIG. 37A is a table illustrating forms of variably controllingswinging/fixing of the blades 973. In FIG. 37B, airflows formed byvariably controlling the blades in each of the operations #1, #2, #3,and #4 illustrated in the table of FIG. 37A are separately shown. Theplurality of blades 973 each are differentiated as a blade A, a blade B,a blade C, and a blade D.

In the initial operation, all of the plurality of blades 973 begin froma closed state.

In the first operation #1 for realizing variable airflow patterns, theblade A swings within a range of a predetermined angle, and theremaining blade B, blade C, and blade D are fixed. Here, “fixing” refersto being fixed without swinging while being open by a predeterminedangle. Then, in the second operation #2, the blade B swings within therange of the predetermined angle, and the remaining blade A, blade C,and blade D are fixed. Then, in the third operation #3, the blade Cswings within the range of the predetermined angle, and the remainingblade A, blade B, and blade D are fixed. Then, in the fourth operation#4, the blade D swings within the range of the predetermined angle, andthe remaining blade A, blade B, and blade C are fixed. The first tofourth operations #1, #2, #3, and #4 are continuously repeated.

As in the above, the blade A, the blade B, the blade C, and the blade Dare not operated in the same fixed state, but any one of the blade A,the blade B, the blade C, and the blade D may swing and the remainingblades may be fixed in a predetermined angle while the order of swingingeach of the blade A, the blade B, the blade C, and the blade D may bechanged sequentially in a rotating manner every predetermined interval.

As a result, the pattern of the airflow discharged through the dischargeportions 972 may be changed in various ways. As can be recognized fromFIG. 37B, a combination of airflows discharged from the dischargeportions 972 of the indoor unit changes in every operation. That is, itcan be recognized that the discharged airflow forms aswing-fixed-fixed-fixed combination in the operation #1, the dischargedairflow forms a fixed-swing-fixed-fixed combination in the operation #2,the discharged airflow forms a fixed-fixed-swing-fixed combination inthe operation #3, and the discharged airflow forms afixed-fixed-fixed-swing combination in the operation #4.

In this manner, the air conditioner may control a state of a dischargedairflow generated from at least one of the plurality of dischargeportions 972 to be differentiated from states of discharged airflowsgenerated from remaining discharge portions while controlling theplurality of blades 973 such that a position at which the differentiateddischarged airflow is generated among the plurality of dischargeportions 972 cycles. By this, an effect of discharging an airflow whilerotating the indoor unit may be obtained.

The time duration for each of the first to fourth operations #1, #2, #3,and #4 depends on a predetermined amount of time. To increase a speed atwhich variable airflow patterns are changed, the time duration for eachof the operations #1, #2, #3, and #4 is shortened (e.g. three seconds).Conversely, to relatively slow down the speed at which the variableairflow patterns are changed, the time duration for each of theoperations #1, #2, #3, and #4 may be relatively extended (e.g. sevenseconds).

As in the above, the states of the blades 973 may be cyclically changedto form various forms of discharged airflows such that cold air may bedischarged to multiple directions of the indoor space, thereby rapidlycooling the indoor space and generating a direct flow of cold air thatdirectly comes in contact with the user.

Furthermore, the indoor unit may also open or close the blades 973 tocontrol an airflow to be discharged or not discharged from each of theplurality of discharge portions 972. This will be described withreference to FIGS. 38A and 38B.

FIGS. 38A and 38B are a view illustrating an embodiment of formingvariable airflow patterns by variably controlling opening/closing of theplurality of blades 973 disposed in the indoor unit of the airconditioner. FIG. 38A is a table illustrating forms of variablycontrolling the opening/closing of the plurality of blades 973. In FIG.38B, forms of airflows discharged in each of the operations #1, #2, #3,and #4 illustrated in the table of FIG. 38A are separately shown. Theplurality of blades 973 each are differentiated as a blade A, a blade B,a blade C, and a blade D.

In the initial operation, all of the plurality of blades 973 begin froma closed state.

In the first operation #1 for realizing variable airflow patterns, onlythe blade A is opened, and the remaining blade B, blade C, and blade Dare closed. Then, in the second operation #2, only the blade B isopened, and the remaining blade A, blade C, and blade D are closed.Then, in the third operation #3, only the blade C is opened, and theremaining blade A, blade B, and blade D are closed. Then, in the fourthoperation #4, only the blade D is opened, and the remaining blade A,blade B, and blade C are closed. The first to fourth operations #1, #2,#3, and #4 are continuously repeated.

As in the above, the blade A, the blade B, the blade C, and the blade Dare not controlled at once to be open/closed uniformly, but at least oneof the blade A, the blade B, the blade C, and the blade D may becontrolled to be closed or opened while the open/closed state of theblade A, the blade B, the blade C, and the blade D may be switched to arotating manner every predetermined interval instead of being fixed.

As a result, the pattern of the airflow discharged through the dischargeportions 972 of the indoor unit may be changed in various ways. As canbe recognized from FIG. 38B, a combination of airflows discharged fromthe discharge portions 972 of the indoor unit changes for everyoperation. That is, it can be recognized that the discharged airflowforms an opened-closed-closed-closed combination in the operation #1,the discharged airflow forms a closed-opened-closed-closed combinationin the operation #2, the discharged airflow forms aclosed-closed-opened-closed combination in the operation #3, and thedischarged airflow forms a closed-closed-closed-opened combination inthe operation #4.

In this manner, the air conditioner may control a state of a dischargedairflow generated from at least one discharge portion of the pluralityof discharge portions 972 to be differentiated from states of dischargedairflows generated from remaining discharge portions while controllingthe plurality of blades 973 such that a position at which thedifferentiated discharged airflow is generated among the plurality ofdischarge portions 972 switches. By this, an effect of discharging anairflow while rotating the indoor unit may be obtained.

The time duration for each of the first to fourth operations #1, #2, #3,and #4 depends on a predetermined amount of time. To increase a speed atwhich variable airflow patterns are changed, the time duration for eachof the operations #1, #2, #3, and #4 is shortened (e.g. three seconds).Conversely, to relatively slow down the speed at which the variableairflow patterns are changed, the time duration for each of theoperations #1, #2, #3, and #4 is relatively extended (e.g. sevenseconds).

Forming variable airflow patterns by controlling swinging/fixed statesof the blades 973 is illustrated in FIGS. 37A and 37B, and formingvariable airflow patterns by controlling open/closed states of theblades 973 is illustrated in FIGS. 38A and 38B. The air conditioner isnot limited to performing any one of controlling the swinging/fixedstates of the blades 973 and controlling the open/closed states of theblades 973 and may form still another form of variable airflows bycombining the controlling of the swinging/fixed states of the blades 973and the controlling of the opened/closed states of the blades 973. Also,more diverse forms of variable airflows may be formed by combinations ofswinging ranges or combinations of fixed blade angles.

FIGS. 39A and 39B are a view illustrating effects of the airflowcirculation mode of the air conditioner according to the embodiment.FIG. 39A illustrates a case of a circular indoor unit not including ablade, and FIG. 39B illustrates a case of a quadrilateral indoor unitincluding a blade. In each case, it is assumed that a ceiling-mountedair conditioner is viewed in the air-conditioned space.

In FIGS. 39A and 39B, thick arrows represent discharged airflows thatare discharged by airflow switching portions such as the auxiliary fan230 or the blade 973, and thin arrows represent a direction in which anairflow pattern cycles in each of the discharge portions. Also, hatchedarrows among the thick arrows represent a differentiated dischargedairflow generated in at least one of the plurality of dischargeportions.

As illustrated in FIG. 39A, in the circular indoor unit not including ablade, a state of a discharged airflow generated from at least one ofthe plurality of discharge portions 250 b may be controlled to bedifferentiated from states of discharged airflows generated fromremaining discharge portions while controlling the plurality ofauxiliary fans 230 such that a position at which the differentiateddischarged airflow is generated among the plurality of dischargeportions 250 b switches. By this, an effect of discharging an airflowwhile rotating the indoor unit may be obtained.

In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 39B, in the quadrilateral indoorunit including a blade, a state of a discharged airflow generated fromat least one of the plurality of discharge portions 972 may becontrolled to be differentiated from states of discharged airflowsgenerated from remaining discharge portions while controlling theplurality of blades 973 such that a position at which the differentiateddischarged airflow is generated among the plurality of dischargeportions 972 switches. By this, an effect of discharging an airflowwhile rotating the indoor unit may be obtained.

In addition, other than controlling an airflow to circulate in any onedirection of the forward direction and the reverse direction asillustrated in FIGS. 39A and 39B, the airflow may be controlled toalternately circulate in the forward direction and the reversedirection. Further, the airflow may also be controlled to asymmetricallycirculate, e.g. circulating twice in the forward direction and thencirculating once in the reverse direction, or vice versa.

In case of the air conditioner not including a blade, it is difficultfor a user to check a direction of a discharged airflow. To resolvethis, a display using a lamp or a light-emitting diode (LED), etc. tovisually display a direction of an airflow may be disposed in the airconditioner.

FIG. 40 is a perspective view of an air conditioner according to anembodiment, and FIG. 41 is a rear view of the air conditioner accordingto the embodiment viewed from the bottom. Also, FIG. 42 is a rear viewof a state in which a lower housing of an indoor unit of the airconditioner according to the embodiment is removed, and FIG. 43 is anexploded perspective view of the air conditioner according to theembodiment. Also, FIG. 44 is a side cross-sectional view taken alongline II-II marked in FIG. 41, and FIG. 45 is an enlarged view of a ‘O’portion marked in FIG. 44.

Referring to FIGS. 40 to 45, an indoor unit 1000 of the air conditioneraccording to the embodiment will be described.

The indoor unit 1000 may be installed on the ceiling C. At least aportion of the indoor unit 1000 of the air conditioner may be buriedinto the ceiling C.

The indoor unit 1000 may include a housing 1010 having a suction port1020 and a discharge port 1021, a heat exchanger 1030 disposed in thehousing 1010, and a main fan 1040 to circulate air.

The housing 1010 may have a nearly circular shape when the surface ofthe ceiling is viewed in the vertical direction. The housing 1010 mayinclude an upper housing 1011 installed in the ceiling C, a middlehousing 1012 coupled to a lower portion of the upper housing 1011, alower housing 1013 coupled to a lower portion of the middle housing1012, and a discharge cover 1017 coupled to an inner lower portion ofthe lower housing 1013.

The suction port 1020 penetrated from the outside to the main fan 1040to allow outside air to be drawn may be formed at a central portion ofthe lower housing 1013, and the discharge port 1021 through which air isdischarged may be formed at the radial outer portion of the suction port1020. The discharge port 1021 may have a nearly circular shape when thesurface of the ceiling C is viewed in the vertical direction.

By the above structure, the indoor unit 1000 may draw air from thebottom, cool or heat the air, and discharge the air back to the bottom.

The lower housing 1013 may have a Coanda curved surface portion 1014 toguide air discharged through the discharge port 1021. The Coanda curvedsurface portion 1014 may guide the air discharged through the dischargeport 1021 to flow in close contact with the Coanda curved surfaceportion 1014.

The discharge cover 1017, that forms the suction port 1020 and thedischarge portion 1021 together with the lower housing 1013, may becoupled to the inner lower portion of the lower housing 1013. Also, agrille 1015 may be coupled to the bottom surface of the lower housing1013 to filter dust from air drawn through the suction port 1020, and afilter (not shown) to filter foreign substances such as dust containedin the air drawn through the suction port 1020 may be disposed at aninner portion of the grille 1015.

The heat exchanger 1030 is disposed in the housing and may be disposedon an air flow passage that connects the suction port 1020 to thedischarge port 1021. The heat exchanger 1030 may be configured with atube (not shown) through which refrigerant flows and a header (notshown) connected to an external refrigerant tube to supply or recoverrefrigerant to or from the tube. A heat exchange fin (not shown) may bedisposed in the tube to expand the heat dissipation area.

The heat exchanger 1030 may have a nearly circular shape when viewed inthe vertical direction. The heat exchanger 1030 may be placed on a draintray 1016 such that condensate generated in the heat exchanger 1030 maybe collected in the drain tray 1016.

The main fan 1040 may be disposed at the radial inner portion of theheat exchanger 1030. The main fan 1040 may be a centrifugal fan thatsuctions in air in the axial direction and discharges the air in theradial direction. A blower motor 1041 for driving the main fan 1040 maybe disposed in the indoor unit 1000. Also, the indoor unit 1000 mayinclude a bell mouth to guide the air drawn through the suction port1020 to be introduced into the main fan 1040.

By the above configuration, the indoor unit 1000 may draw indoor air,cool the air, and discharge the air to the indoor space, or may drawindoor air, heat the air, and discharge the air to the indoor space.

The indoor unit 1000 may further include a heat exchanger pipe 1085connected to the heat exchanger 1030 to allow refrigerant to flowtherethrough and a drain pump 1086 to discharge the condensate collectedin the drain tray 1016 to the outside. The heat exchanger pipe 1085 andthe drain pump 1086 may be disposed at a bridge 1080 to be describedbelow not to cover the suction port.

The indoor unit 1000 may further include the bridge 1080 disposedadjacent to the discharge port 1021 and extending by a preset length inthe circumferential direction of the discharge port 1021. Three bridges1080 may be disposed to be spaced apart from each other by presetintervals along the circumferential direction.

When the discharge port 1021 is formed in a circular shape and air isdischarged from all directions, a relatively high pressure is formedaround the discharge port 1021, and a relatively lower pressure isformed around the suction port 1020. Also, because air is dischargedfrom all directions of the discharge port 1021 and an air curtain isformed, air that should be drawn through the suction port 1020 cannot besupplied to the suction port 1020. In this state, the air dischargedfrom the discharge port 1021 is drawn again through the suction port1020, the air drawn again causes dew to be formed in the housing 1010,and the discharged air is lost, thereby degrading a performance that maybe sensed by the user.

The bridge 1080 is disposed on the discharge port 1021 to block thedischarge port 1021 by a preset length. Accordingly, the discharge port1021 is divided into a first section S1 through which air is dischargedand a second section S2 blocked by the bridge 1080 and through whichalmost no air is discharged. That is, the bridge 1080 may form thesecond section S2 from which air to be drawn through the suction port1020 is supplied. Also, the bridge 1080 may decrease a pressuredifference between the low pressure around the suction port 1020 and thehigh pressure around the discharge port 1021.

The bridge 1080 may include one pair of discharge guide surfaces 1081becoming gradually closer toward the direction in which air isdischarged to minimize the second section S2 formed by the bridge 1080.Air discharged from the discharge port 1021 by the discharge guidesurfaces 1081 may be discharged while being more widely spread from thedischarge port 1021.

Although it is illustrated that three bridges 1080 are disposed in theindoor unit 1000 in the same intervals, i.e., 120°, embodiments are notlimited thereto. Only one bridge 1080 may be disposed, two bridges 1080may be disposed in 180° intervals, or four bridges 1080 may be disposedin 90° intervals. A plurality of bridges 1080 may also be disposed indifferent angular intervals along the circumferential direction of thedischarge port 1021. Furthermore, five or more bridges may also bedisposed. That is, the number of bridges is not limited.

However, in order to form the second section S2 and facilitate supplyingof air to be drawn through the suction port 1020, the sum of the lengthsof bridges 1080 may be 5% or larger and 40% or less than the overallcircumferential length of the discharge port. That is, a ratio of thesecond section S2 with respect to the sum of the first section S1 andthe second section S2 may be 5% or larger and 40% or less.

The indoor unit 1000 may further include an airflow control unit 1050 tocontrol a discharged airflow.

The airflow control unit 1050 may draw air around the discharge port1021 and change the pressure in order to control the direction of thedischarged airflow. Also, the airflow control unit 1050 may control theamount of air drawn around the discharge port 1021. That is, the airflowcontrol unit 1050 may control the amount of air drawn around thedischarge port 1021 to control the direction of the discharged airflow.

Here, the controlling of the direction of the discharged airflowincludes controlling the angle of the discharged airflow.

When suctioning in the air around the discharge port 1021, the airflowcontrol unit 1050 may draw air from one direction off of a direction ofthe discharged airflow. That is, as illustrated in FIG. 45, assumingthat the direction of the discharged airflow when the plurality ofauxiliary fans 230 of the airflow control units AP is not operating isthe direction A1, the airflow control unit 1050 may operate to draw airfrom one direction off of the direction A1, thereby switching thedirection of the discharged airflow to the direction A2.

Here, in accordance with the amount of air drawn by an auxiliary fan1060, switching of the angle of the discharged airflow may be adjusted.That is, the angle of the discharged airflow may be switched to a smallangle when the amount of air drawn is small, and the angle of thedischarged airflow may be switched to a large angle when the amount ofair drawn by the auxiliary fan 230 is large.

Here, the angle of the discharged airflow is based on the surface of theceiling C. That is, the angle of the discharged airflow is 0° in thehorizontal direction corresponding to the surface of the ceiling C andis 90° in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the ceiling C.Consequently, the direction of the discharged airflow is controlled tobe horizontal when the angle of the discharged airflow is 0°, thedirection of the discharged airflow is controlled to be vertical whenthe angle of the discharged airflow is 90°, and the direction of thedischarged airflow is controlled to be in the middle which is the middlebetween the horizontal airflow and the vertical airflow when the angleof the discharged airflow is about 45°.

The airflow control unit 1050 may discharge the drawn air in theopposite direction of the direction A1 in which the discharged airflows. By this, the angle of the discharged airflow may be enlarged, andcontrolling the airflow may be further facilitated.

The airflow control unit 1050 may draw air from the radial outer portionof the discharge port 1021. Because the airflow control unit 1050suctions in air from the radial outer portion of the discharge port1021, the discharged airflow may be widely spread from the radialcentral portion to the radial outer portion of the discharge port 1021.

The airflow control unit 1050 may include the auxiliary fan 1060 togenerate a suction force for suctioning in air around the discharge port1021, an airflow control motor 1061 for driving the auxiliary fan 1060,and a guiding flow passage 1070 to guide air drawn by the auxiliary fan1060.

The auxiliary fan 1060 may be disposed at an inner surface of the lowerhousing 1013. For example, the auxiliary fan 1060 may be accommodated ina fan case 1062 disposed at one end portion adjacent to the suction port1020 of the bridge 1080. Three auxiliary fans 1060 may be disposedcorresponding to the number of bridges 1080, but embodiments are notlimited thereto, and the number and the arrangement of the auxiliaryfans 1060 may also be designed in various ways as the number and thearrangement of the bridges 1080.

Although a centrifugal fan is illustrated as the auxiliary fan 1060,embodiments are not limited thereto, and various fans including anaxial-flow fan, a cross-flow fan, a mixed-flow fan, etc. may be used asthe auxiliary fan 1060 according to design specifications.

The guiding flow passage 1070 connects an inlet 1071 to draw air aroundthe discharge port 1021 to an outlet 1072 to discharge the drawn air. Aportion of the guiding flow passage 1070 may be formed at the bridge1080.

The inlet 1071 may be formed on the Coanda curved surface portion 1014of the lower housing 1013. Consequently, the discharged airflow benttoward the inlet 1071 of the lower housing 1013 by the suction force ofauxiliary fan 1060 may flow along the surface of the Coanda curvedsurface portion 1014.

The outlet 1072 may be disposed around the discharge port 21 at theopposite side of the inlet 1071. Specifically, the outlet 1072 may beformed in the fan case 1062. The outlet 1072 may be formed at thedischarge cover 1017.

By the above configuration, as mentioned above, the airflow control unit1050 may discharge drawn air in the opposite direction of the directionA1 of the discharged airflow, enlarge the angle of the dischargedairflow, and further facilitate the controlling of the airflow.

The guiding flow passage 1070 may include a first flow passage 1070 aformed at the outer portion of the housing 1010 in the circumferentialdirection and configured to communicate with the inlet 1071, a secondflow passage 1070 b configured to extend from the first flow passage1070 a toward the radial inner portion, and a third flow passage 1070 cformed in the fan case 1062.

Consequently, air drawn through the inlet 1071 may pass through thefirst flow passage 1070 a, the second flow passage 1070 b, and the thirdflow passage 1070 c and be discharged through the outlet 1072.

However, the above structure of the guiding flow passage 1070 is merelyan example, and the guiding flow passage 1070 may have any structure,shape, and arrangement as long as the guiding flow passage 1070 connectsthe inlet 1071 to the outlet 1072.

In addition, when a display unit 1100 to be described below is disposedat a lower portion of the bridge 1080, the outlet 1072 becomes unable todischarge air toward a lower surface 1083 of the bridge 1080.Consequently, an insulating material (not shown) may be disposed betweenthe display unit 1100 and the bridge 1080 to prevent a dew formationproblem that may occur at the display unit 1100.

By the above configuration, compared to a conventional structure inwhich a blade is provided in a discharge port and a discharged airflowis controlled by rotation of the blade, the indoor unit 1000 of the airconditioner according to the embodiment may control a discharged airfloweven without a blade structure. Accordingly, because the discharged airis not interfered by a blade, the amount of discharged air can beincreased and noise of the flowing air can be reduced.

Although a discharge port of an indoor unit of a conventional airconditioner may only have a straight shape in order to rotate the blade,the indoor unit 1000 of the air conditioner according to the embodimentof the present disclosure may be formed in a circular shape.Accordingly, the housing 1010, the heat exchanger 1030, etc. may also beformed in the circular shape, thereby not only improving an estheticsense by the differentiated design but also enabling a natural airflowand reducing loss of pressure when considering that the main fan 1040generally has a circular shape, thus improving cooling or heatingperformance of the air conditioner as a result.

As in the above, the indoor unit 1000 of the air conditioner accordingto the embodiment of the present disclosure may control the dischargedairflow in various ways even without a blade structure.

However, in case of the air conditioner not including a blade, it isdifficult for the user to check a direction of a discharged airflow. Toresolve this, the display unit 1100 capable of visually expressing adirection of an airflow using a lamp or an LED, etc. is installed in theindoor unit 1000 of the air conditioner.

Hereinafter, the configuration of the display unit 1100 will bedescribed in detail.

FIG. 46 is an exploded perspective view of a display unit of an airconditioner according to an embodiment, and FIG. 47 is an enlarged viewof the display unit of the air conditioner according to the embodiment.Also, FIG. 48 is an example of a cross-sectional view taken along lineI-I marked in FIG. 41, and FIG. 49 is an exploded view of a portion ofthe air conditioner according to the embodiment.

The display unit 1100 may display an operation state of the airconditioner and information on the air conditioner to the user.Specifically, the display unit 1100 may display whether the airconditioner is operating, display a direction of a discharged airflow,and display whether the air conditioner is currently operating in acooling mode or operating in a heating mode, but embodiments are notlimited thereto, and various types of information related to the airconditioner may be displayed on the display unit 1100.

The display unit 1100 may further include a communication unit (notshown) capable of transmitting and receiving information to and from anexternal device and/or an input unit (not shown) capable of receiving acommand input by the user.

The display unit 1100 may be disposed at a lower portion of the bridge1080 and may be disposed roughly on an outer circumferential surface ofthe lower housing 1013 when the surface of the ceiling C is viewed inthe vertical direction.

Although the display unit 1100 is disposed on at least one of the threebridges 1080 in the embodiment, embodiments are not limited thereto. Forexample, the display unit 1100 may be disposed on each of the threebridges 1080. In this manner, the number and the arrangement of thedisplay unit 1100 may be designed in various ways.

The display unit 1100 may include a display 1101 to display informationto the user and a display cover 1106 to surround and protect the display1101.

The display cover 1106 may be disposed at a lower portion of the display1101 in order to surround and protect the display 1101, and a hole 1106a to expose the display 1101 to the outside may be disposed at a centralportion of the display cover 1106.

The configuration of the display cover 1106 will be described in moredetail below.

The display 1101 displays information to the user and may be implementedwith various types of displays including a liquid crystal display (LCD),an LED display, a flat-panel display, a curved display, a flexibledisplay, etc. However, to assist in understanding the presentdisclosure, the display 1101 will be described below while assuming thatthe display 1101 includes a plurality of LEDs.

The display 1101 may be inserted into the hole 1106 a formed at thedisplay cover 1106.

The display 1101 is a hemispherical lighting device having a pluralityof light emitting parts formed in the shape of a circular band and mayinclude a hemispherical light-emitting cover 1105, a printed boardassembly (PBA) substrate 1102 on which a plurality of light sources(LEDs) are installed, a light-emitting base 1103 to transmit lightradiated from the plurality of light sources (LEDs) through a gap formedin the shape of a circular band, and a reflector 1104 to reflect thelight that has passed through the light-emitting base 1103 toward afront surface of the light-emitting cover 1105 in an optical patternformed in the shape of a circular band.

By the above structure, the display 1101 may display the direction ofthe discharged airflow controlled to be in various directions. That is,the display 1101 includes a first light-emitting unit 1110 to display astate in which the direction of the discharged airflow is controlled tobe vertical (concentrated), a second light-emitting unit 1120 to displaya state in which the direction of the discharged airflow is controlledto be horizontal (wide), and a third light-emitting unit 1130 to displaya state in which the direction of the discharged airflow is controlledto be in the middle (middle) which is the middle between the horizontalairflow and the vertical airflow.

To display the state in which the direction of the discharged airflow iscontrolled to be vertical, the first light-emitting unit 1110 mayinclude a plurality (approximately six) of light sources 1110 a, 1110 b,1110 c, 1110 d, 1110 e, and 1110 f to visually express an opticalpattern in the shape of a circular band disposed at an inner portion ofthe display 1101. For example, the first light-emitting unit 1110 mayinclude a first light source A (1110 a), a first light source B (1110b), a first light source C (1110 c), a first light source D (1110 d), afirst light source E (1110 e), and a first light source F (1110 f).

To display the state in which the direction of the discharged airflow iscontrolled to be horizontal, the second light-emitting unit 1120 mayinclude a plurality (approximately nine) of light sources 1120 a, 1120b, 1120 c, 1120 d, 1120 e, 1120 f, 1120 g, 1120 h, and 1120 i tovisually express an optical pattern in the shape of a circular banddisposed at an edge portion of the display 1101. For example, the secondlight-emitting unit 1120 may include a second light source A (1120 a), asecond light source B (1120 b), a second light source C (1120 c), asecond light source D (1120 d), a second light source E (1120 e), asecond light source F (1120 f), a second light source G (1120 g), asecond light source H (1120 h), and a second light source I (1120 i).

To display the state in which the direction of the discharged airflow iscontrolled to be in the middle which is the middle between thehorizontal airflow and the vertical airflow, the third light-emittingunit 1130 may include a plurality (approximately six) of light sources1130 a, 1130 b, 1130 c, 1130 d, 1130 e, and 1130 f to visually expressan optical pattern in the shape of a circular band disposed at themiddle between the first light-emitting unit 1110 and the secondlight-emitting unit 1120. For example, the third light-emitting unit1130 may include a third light source A (1130 a), a third light source B(1130 b), a third light source C (1130 c), a third light source D (1130d), a third light source E (1130 e), and a third light source F (1130f).

Here, of course the number and the arrangement of the light sources 1110a, 1110 b, 1110 c, 1110 d, 1110 e, and 1110 f, 1120 a, 1120 b, 1120 c,1120 d, 1120 e, 1120 f, 1120 g, 1120 h, and 1120 i, and 1130 a, 1130 b,1130 c, 1130 d, 1130 e, and 1130 f disposed at each of the firstlight-emitting unit 1110 to the third light-emitting unit 1130 may bedesigned in various ways.

By the above structure, the first light-emitting unit 1110, the secondlight-emitting unit 1120 and the third light-emitting unit 1130 may turnon or turn off the plurality of light sources 1110 a, 1110 b, 1110 c,1110 d, 1110 e, and 1110 f, 1120 a, 1120 b, 1120 c, 1120 d, 1120 e, 1120f, 1120 g, 1120 h, and 1120 i, and 1130 a, 1130 b, 1130 c, 1130 d, 1130e, and 1130 f disposed at each of the first light-emitting unit 1110,the second light-emitting unit 1120 and the third light-emitting unit1130 to display whether the direction of the airflow discharged from theindoor unit 1000 is vertical, horizontal, or middle.

In addition, the display 1101 may also sequentially turn on the firstlight-emitting unit 1110, the second light-emitting unit 1120 and thethird light-emitting unit 1130 from the inner portion to the outerportion or from the outer portion to the inner portion to display astate in which the direction of the airflow is controlled to beautomatic.

In addition, the display 1101 may further include a fourthlight-emitting unit 1140 to display an operation state or an error stateof the air conditioner. The fourth light-emitting unit 1140 may includea circular light source 1140 a disposed at the center of the displayunit 1100 and display a power-on/power-off state or an operational errorstate of the indoor unit 1000 of the air conditioner using LEDs ofvarious colors.

As described above, the display cover 1106 is disposed at the lowerportion of the display 1101 to surround and protect the display 1101.

The display cover 1106 may include one pair of guiding curved surfaceportions 1106 b to guide air discharged from the discharge port 1021 tobe discharged while being spread along the circumferential direction ofthe discharge port 1021. The pair of guiding curved surface portions1106 b may be disposed to have widths thereof gradually narrowing in thedirection in which air is discharged. By the pair of guiding curvedsurface portions 1106 b, the air discharged from the discharge port 1021adjacent to the display unit 1100 may come in contact with an outersurface of the display cover 1106 along the guiding curved surfaceportions 1106 b, cool the heat generated from the display unit 1100, andbe discharged.

One end portion 1106 c of the display cover 1106 adjacent to the suctionport 1020 may be disposed to overlap the upper portion of the displaycover 1017 to be supported by the discharge cover 1017 without aseparate fixing member. The one end portion 1106 c of the display cover1106 may be formed in the shape corresponding to that of an outercircumferential surface 1017 a of the discharge cover 1017 to besupported by coming in contact with the outer circumferential surface1017 a of the discharge cover 1017.

One portion 1017 b of the outer circumferential surface 1017 a of thedischarge cover 1017 may be formed to be bent toward the radial outerportion of the discharge port 1021 in order to support the display cover1106 against gravity. The one portion 1017 b of the outercircumferential surface 1017 a of the discharge cover 1017 may be bentfrom the outer circumferential surface 1017 a of the discharge cover1017 to extend in a nearly horizontal direction. Accordingly, the oneportion 1017 b of the outer circumferential surface 1017 a of thedischarge cover 1017 may support the display cover 1106 against gravity.

The one end portion 1106 c of the display cover 1106 may be formed tocorrespond to the shapes of the outer circumferential surface 1017 a ofthe discharge cover 1017 and the one portion 1017 b of the outercircumferential surface 1017 a in order to overlap with upper portionsof the outer circumferential surface 1017 a of the discharge cover 1017and the one portion 1017 b of the outer circumferential surface 1017 a.Accordingly, the one end portion 1106 c of the display cover 1106 may besupported by the outer circumferential surface 1017 a of the dischargecover 1017 and the one portion 1017 b of the outer circumferentialsurface 1017 a.

The display cover 1106 may include a recessed groove 1106 f to allow thedisplay 1101 to be seated and fixed. The groove 1106 f may be formed tocorrespond to the shape of one corner portion 1101 a of the display1101. The one corner portion 1101 a of the display 1101 may be seated onthe groove 1106 f of the display cover 1106 such that the position ofthe display 1101 may be fixed within the display cover 1106.

The other end portion 1106 d, which is opposite from the one end portion1106 c of the display cover 1106, may be disposed to abut a displaycover coupling portion 1013 c disposed at an outer end portion of thelower housing 1013. The other end portion 1106 d of the display cover1106 may be fixed by a fixing member 1109 a while being disposed tooverlap the display cover coupling portion 1013 c. Fixing memberaccommodation portions 1106 e and 1013 d, which is formed to correspondto the fixing member 1109 a to be coupled to the fixing member 1109 a,may be respectively disposed at the other end portion 1106 d of thedisplay cover 1106 and the display cover coupling portion 1013 c of thelower housing 1013.

The fixing member 1109 a may be a male screw having screw threads formedon the outer circumferential surface thereof, and in this case, thefixing member accommodation portion 1106 e of the display cover 1106 andthe fixing member accommodation portion 1013 d of the display covercoupling portion 1013 c may be female screws.

For a firmer support, the fixing member 1109 a may not only fix thedisplay cover 1106 and the lower housing 1013 but also fix the middlehousing 1012 together. In this case, a fixing member accommodationportion 1012 d may also be disposed in the middle housing 1012.Furthermore, the fixing member accommodation portion 1012 d of themiddle housing 1012 may be a female screw.

In the present disclosure, the display unit 1100 may be firmly coupledto the housing 1010 by coupling the display unit 1100 to the housing1010 and fixing the display unit 1100 by the structure described above.Also, the display unit 1100 may be fixed to the housing 1010 using thefewest possible number of separate fixing members 1109 a, therebyreducing the unit cost of the air conditioner. Furthermore, because thedisplay unit 1100 may be easily detached from the housing 1010 due tothe structure described above, the indoor unit 1000 may be easilymaintained and repaired.

Referring to FIG. 49, a process of coupling the display unit 1100 willbe described.

The user places the display unit 1100 on the discharge port of the lowerhousing 1013 while the display 1101 is seated on the upper portion ofthe display cover 1106. While the display unit 1100 is disposed at thelower portion of the lower housing 1013, the user couples the dischargecover 1017 to the lower housing 1013. By this process, the one endportion 1106 c of the display cover 1106 may firstly be fixed to thelower housing 1013.

Here, the other end portion 1106 d of the display cover 1106 is disposedat the lower portion of the display cover coupling portion 1013 c tooverlap the display cover coupling portion 1013 c of the lower housing1013. That is, the other end portion 1106 d of the display cover 1106abuts the display cover coupling portion 1013 c. In this state, the useruses the fixing member 1109 a to fix the display cover 1106 to the lowerhousing 1013. Specifically, when the fixing member 1109 a is a malescrew, the user may couple the male screw to the fixing memberaccommodation portions 1106 e and 1013 d respectively formed at thedisplay cover 1106 and the lower housing 1013 to couple and fix thedisplay cover 1106 to the lower housing 1013.

As described above, the fixing member 1109 a may also be coupled to thefixing member accommodation portion 1012 d disposed in the middlehousing 1012 to simultaneously couple and fix the display cover 1106,the lower housing 1013, and the middle housing 1012.

Although coupling the display unit 1100 to the housing 1010 by thefixing member 1109 a implemented with a screw has been described above,ways for implementing the fixing member 1109 a is not limited to thescrew.

Hereinafter, various ways for implementing the fixing member 1109 a willbe described.

FIG. 50 is an example of a cross-sectional view taken along line I-Imarked in FIG. 41.

An example of the display cover will be described with reference to FIG.50. However, like reference numerals may be given to like elements fromthe embodiment illustrated in FIG. 48, and the description thereof maybe omitted.

The one end portion 1106 c of the display cover 1106 adjacent to thesuction port 1020 may be disposed to overlap the upper portion of thedisplay cover 1017 to be supported by the discharge cover 1017 without aseparate fixing member. The one end portion 1106 c of the display cover1106 may be supported by the one portion 1017 b of the outercircumferential surface 1017 a of the discharge cover 1017 againstgravity.

The other end portion 1106 d which is opposite from the one end portion1106 c of the display cover 1106 may be disposed to abut the displaycover coupling portion 1013 c disposed at the outer end portion of thelower housing 1013. The other end portion 1106 d of the display cover1106 may be fixed by a fixing member 1109 b protruding from the otherend portion 1106 d of the display cover 1106 while being disposed tooverlap the display cover coupling portion 1013 c. The fixing memberaccommodation portion 1013 d formed to correspond to the fixing member1109 b to be coupled to the fixing member 1109 b may be disposed at thedisplay cover coupling portion 1013 c of the lower housing 1013. Thefixing member 1109 b and the fixing member accommodation portion 1013 dmay be disposed to be coupled by snap-fitting.

Specifically, the fixing member 1109 b may include two extensionportions 1109 b-1 and locking portions 1109 b-2 disposed at each of theextension portions 1109 b-1.

The extension portions 1109 b-1 extend by a predetermined length fromthe other end portion 1106 d of the display cover 1106 toward the lowerhousing 1013. To allow the display cover 1106 and the lower housing 1013to abut each other instead of being apart by a predetermined intervalwhen the display cover 1106 is coupled to the lower housing 1013, thelength of the extension portions 1109 b-1 may be formed to correspond tothe depth of a through-hole 1013 e disposed by the fixing memberaccommodation portion 1013 d.

The extension portions 1109 b-1 may be formed with an elastic materialto be bendable when the locking portions 1109 b-2 to be described belowpass through the through-hole 1013 e disposed at the fixing memberaccommodation portion 1013 d. Accordingly, the extension portions 1109b-1 may be bent in the direction of becoming closer to each other inorder to allow the locking portions 1109 b-2 protruding from the endportions of the extension portions 1109 b-1 to have a wider width thanthe through-hole 1013 e to pass through the through-hole 1013 e. Afterthe locking portions 1109 b-2 pass through the through-hole 1013 e, theextension portions 1109 b-1 are restored to be separated by the originalinterval by an elastic force, and accordingly, the locking portions 1109b-2 are fixed to a locking groove 1013 f disposed at the fixing memberaccommodation portion 1013 d of the lower housing 1013.

The locking portions 1109 b-2 protrude from the end portions of theextension portions 1109 b-1. The locking portions 1109 b-2 are disposedto have a larger width than the through-hole 1013 e disposed at thefixing member accommodation portion 1013 d. The locking portions 1109b-2 may pass through the through-hole 1013 e by the elastic force of theextension portions 1109 b-1. After the locking portions 1109 b-2 passthrough the through-hole 1013 e, the locking portions 1109 b-2 may befixed to the locking groove 1013 f disposed at the fixing memberaccommodation portion 1013 d of the lower housing 1013.

The one corner portion 1101 a of the display 1101 may be fixed to thegroove 1106 f of the display cover 1106.

In the indoor unit 1000 illustrated in FIG. 50, the fixing member 1109 bdisposed at the other end portion 1106 d of the display cover 1106 mayfirstly be fixed only by being inserted into the fixing memberaccommodation portion 1013 d disposed at the lower housing 1013.

FIG. 51 is an example of a cross-sectional view taken along line I-Imarked in FIG. 41.

An example of the display cover will be described with reference to FIG.51. However, like reference numerals may be given to like elements fromthe embodiment illustrated in FIG. 48, and the description thereof maybe omitted.

The other end portion 1106 d of the display cover 1106 may be coupledand fixed to the outlet 1072 disposed at the lower housing 1013.

Specifically, the other end portion 1106 d of the display cover 1106includes a fixing member 1109 c extending toward the lower housing 1013as the other end portion 1106 d of the display cover 1106 illustrated inFIG. 50. The fixing member 1109 c may include an extension portion 1109c-1 and a locking portion 1109 c-2.

The extension portion 1109 c-1 may have a length corresponding to thedepth of the outlet 1072 disposed at the lower housing 1013. The lockingportion 1109 c-2 passes through the outlet 1072 to be fixed to thelocking groove 1013 f of the lower housing 1013.

The one end portion 1106 c of the display cover 1106 may be supported bythe one portion 1017 b of the outer circumferential surface 1017 a ofthe discharge cover 1017 against gravity.

The one corner portion 1101 a of the display 1101 may be fixed to thegroove 1106 a of the display cover 1106.

In the case of the indoor unit 1000 illustrated in FIG. 51, because thedisplay unit 1100 may be coupled to the existing outlet 1072 withoutrequiring a separate fixing member accommodation portion, the unit costof the air conditioner may be decreased.

FIG. 52 is an example of a cross-sectional view taken along line I-Imarked in FIG. 41.

An example of the display cover will be described with reference to FIG.52. However, like reference numerals may be given to like elements fromthe embodiment illustrated in FIG. 48, and the description thereof maybe omitted.

The display cover 1106 may be integrally formed with the discharge cover1017.

The discharge cover 1017 may include the display cover 1106 extendingfrom one portion at which the display 1101 is disposed along the radialdirection of the discharge port 1021. The display cover 1106 is disposedto surround the display 1101 from the bottom.

The fixing member accommodation portion 1106 e to accommodate a fixingmember 1109 d may be disposed at the outer end portion 1106 d of thedisplay cover 1106 spaced apart from the discharge cover 1017. Thefixing member accommodation portion 1013 d to accommodate the fixingmember 1109 d together with the fixing member accommodation portion 1106e may be disposed at the lower housing 1013. The fixing member 1109 dmay be a male screw inserted into the fixing member accommodationportion 1106 e of the display cover 1106 and the fixing memberaccommodation portion 1013 d of the lower housing 1013 to couple and fixthe discharge cover 1017 to the lower housing 1013. In this case, thefixing member accommodation portions 1106 e and 1013 d may be femalescrews.

The one corner portion 1101 a of the display 1101 may be fixed to thegroove 1106 a of the display cover 1106.

In the case of the indoor unit 1000 illustrated in FIG. 52, thedischarge cover 1017 and the display cover 1016 are integrally formedsuch that the display 1101 may be coupled and fixed to the housing 1010without a separate fixing member.

FIG. 53 is a view illustrating an embodiment of the air conditionerillustrated in FIG. 40.

Although the display unit 1100 described above is illustrated as beingapplied to the indoor unit 1000 including the airflow control unit 1050as illustrated in FIG. 40, the display unit 1100 described above may ofcourse be also applied to the indoor unit 1000 simply including only thecircular discharge port 1021 without the airflow control unit 1050 asillustrated in FIG. 53.

As described above, in the indoor unit 1000 according to the presentdisclosure, the display unit 1100 may be firmly fixed to the housing1010 using the fewest number of separate fixing members, andaccordingly, the display unit 1100 may easily be detached from thehousing 1010 such that maintenance and repair of the indoor unit 1000may be facilitated.

In the above, the configuration of the air conditioner including thedisplay unit 1100 has been described.

Hereinafter, operations of the air conditioner including the displayunit 1100 will be described.

FIG. 54 is a control block diagram of an indoor unit of an airconditioner according to an embodiment.

In FIG. 54, the indoor unit 1000 of the air conditioner further includesan input device 1090, a detection unit 1092, a control unit 1094, amemory 1096, a driving unit 1098, and the display unit 1100.

The input device 1090 is used to input a command for setting operationinformation such as an operation mode (e.g. cooling or heatingoperation) of the indoor unit 1000 of the air conditioner, a targetindoor temperature, an airflow direction, and an airflow strength by theuser's manipulation. The input device 1090 may be configured with a key,a button, a switch, a touch pad, etc. and may be any device thatgenerates predetermined input data by manipulations such as pressing,touching, rotating, etc.

For example, the input device 1090 is a remote controller to wirelesslytransmit a control command for setting the operation of the indoor unit1000 of the air conditioner or controlling the airflow direction and mayinclude a cellphone, a personal communications service (PCS) phone, asmartphone, a personal digital assistants (PDA) terminal, a portablemultimedia player (PMP) a laptop computer, a digital broadcastingterminal, a netbook, a tablet, a navigation, etc.

Other than the above, the input device 1090 includes all devices such asa digital camera and a camcorder having a wire/wireless communicationfunction capable of implementing various functions using differentapplication programs.

In addition, the input device 1090 may be a general remote controllerhaving a simple form. A remote controller generally uses infrared dataassociation (IrDA) to transmit and receive a signal to and from theindoor unit 1000 of the air conditioner.

In addition, the input device 1090 may use various means such as radiofrequency (RF), wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi), Bluetooth, Zigbee, near-fieldcommunication (NFC), ultra-wide band (UWB) communication, etc. totransmit and receive a wireless communication signal to and from theindoor unit 1000 of the air conditioner, and the input device 1090 mayuse any means as long as the input device 1090 and the indoor unit 1000are able to transmit and receive a wireless communication signal to andfrom each other.

The input device 1090 may include a power button to control the power ofthe indoor unit 1000 to be turned on or off, an operation selectionbutton to select the operation mode of the indoor unit 1000, an airflowdirection button to control the direction of an airflow, an airflowvolume button to control the strength of the airflow, a temperaturebutton to control the temperature, a dial, etc.

The detection unit 1092 detects a temperature of the indoor space andtransmits the detected temperature to the control unit 1094.

The control unit 1094 is a microprocessor that controls the overalloperation of the indoor unit 1000 of the air conditioner. The controlunit 1094 receives various types of operation modes and temperatureinformation from the input device 1090 and the detection unit 1092, and,based on the various types of operation modes and the temperatureinformation received, transmits a control command to the driving unit1098 and the display unit 1100.

In the memory 1096, control data for controlling the operation of theindoor unit 1000 of the air conditioner, reference data used whilecontrolling the operation of the indoor unit 1000 of the airconditioner, operation data generated while the indoor unit 1000performs a predetermined operation, set information such as set datainput by the input device 1090 for the indoor unit 1000 to perform apredetermined operation, whether a reserved operation is scheduled, andfailure information including a cause of malfunctioning or a locationwhere the malfunctioning has occurred when the indoor unit 1000malfunctions may be stored.

In addition, the memory 1096 may store optical pattern informationdisplayed by the display unit 1100. For example, optical patterninformation for which the plurality of light sources (LEDs) emit lightin the shape of triple circular bands along a set airflow direction maybe stored in the memory 1096, and when requested by the control unit1094, the stored optical pattern information may be transmitted to thecontrol unit 1094.

In addition, the memory 1096 may be implemented with a nonvolatilememory device such as a ROM, a PROM, an EPROM, and a flash memory, avolatile memory device such as a RAM, or a storage medium such as a harddisc, a card type memory (e.g. Secure Digital (SD) or eXtreme Digital(XD) memory, etc.), and an optical disc. However, the memory 1096 is notlimited thereto, and various storage mediums that may be considered bythe designer may be used as the memory 1096.

The driving unit 1098 drives the main fan 1040, the auxiliary fan 1060,etc. related to the operation of the indoor unit 1000 of the airconditioner in accordance with a driving control signal of the controlunit 1094.

That is, the driving unit 1098 may control driving and speed of theairflow control motor 1061 in accordance with the driving control signalof the control unit 1094. Consequently, the amount of air drawn aroundthe suction port 1021 may be controlled and the direction of thedischarged airflow may be controlled.

In addition, the driving unit 1098 may control driving and speed of theblower motor 1041 in accordance with the driving control signal of thecontrol unit 1094. Consequently, the strength of the airflow dischargedfrom the discharge port 1021 may be controlled.

The display unit 1100 is used to display user input information and theoperation state of the indoor unit 1000 of the air conditioner inaccordance with a displayed control signal of the control unit 1094. Thedisplay unit 1100 may use the first light-emitting unit 1110, the secondlight-emitting unit 1120, the third light-emitting unit 1130 and thefourth light-emitting unit 1140 to display the direction of thedischarged airflow in accordance with various types of operationinformation received from the input device 1090.

That is, the display unit 1100 may display whether the airflow directionselected by the user via the input device 1090 is vertical, horizontal,middle, or automatic.

The air conditioner according to the embodiment of the presentdisclosure may further include a sound output unit to output theoperation state of the indoor unit 1000 and the user's manipulationstate by a sound (e.g., a beep sound)

Hereinafter, an air conditioner without a blade, a method of controllingthe same, and effects thereof will be described.

FIG. 55 is an operation flow chart illustrating a control algorithm forvisually expressing a direction of a discharged airflow in an airconditioner according to an embodiment. FIGS. 56A, 56B and 56Cillustrate an example of a direction of a discharged airflow visuallyexpressed by the air conditioner according to the embodiment.

In FIG. 55, the user manipulates the input device 1090 to set operationinformation including an operation mode (e.g. cooling or heatingoperation) of the indoor unit 1000 of the air conditioner, a targetindoor temperature, a direction of a discharged airflow, etc. (operationS1200). The operation information set by the user via the input device1090 is transmitted to the control unit 1094.

Consequently, the control unit 1094 receives the various types ofoperation information from the input device 1090 and determines whetherthe power of the indoor unit 1000 is turned on in order to control theoverall operation of the indoor unit 1000 based on the receivedinformation (operation S1202).

When the power of the indoor unit 1000 is determined to be turned on asa result of the operation S1202, the control unit 1094 transmits adriving control signal to the driving unit 1098 in order to control thedirection of the discharged airflow in accordance with the setdirection.

The driving unit 1098 may control driving and speed of the airflowcontrol motor 1061 in accordance with the driving control signal fromthe control unit 1094 to control the amount of air drawn around thedischarge port 1021 and control the direction of the discharged airflow(operation S1204).

The control unit 1094 determines whether the direction of the airflow isvertical in order to visually display the direction of the dischargedairflow (operation S1206).

When the direction of the airflow is determined to be vertical as aresult of the operation S1206, the control unit 1094 turns on the lightsources 1110 a, 1110 b, 1110 c, 1110 d, 1110 e, and 1110 f of the firstlight-emitting unit 1110 to display the optical pattern in the shape ofa circular band disposed at the inner portion of the display unit 1100(operation S1208). For example, by turning on the light sources 1110 a,1110 b, 1110 c, 1110 d, 1110 e, and 1110 f of the first light-emittingunit 1110, a first circular image 1111 may be displayed on the centralportion of the display unit 1100 as illustrated in FIG. 56A.

Consequently, the user may intuitively recognize that the direction ofthe discharged airflow is being controlled to be vertical.

On the other hand, when the direction of the airflow is not determinedto be vertical as a result of the operation S1206, the control unit 1094determines whether the direction of the airflow is horizontal (operationS1210).

When the direction of the airflow is determined to be horizontal as aresult of the operation S1210, the control unit 1094 turns on the lightsources 1120 a, 1120 b, 1120 c, 1120 d, 1120 e, 1120 f, 1120 g, 1120 h,and 1120 i of the second light-emitting unit 1120 to display the opticalpattern in the shape of a circular band disposed at the edge portion ofthe display unit 1100 (operation S1212). For example, by turning on thelight sources 1120 a, 1120 b, 1120 c, 1120 d, 1120 e, 1120 f, 1120 g,1120 h, and 1120 i of the second light-emitting unit 1120, a secondcircular image 1121 may be displayed on the edge portion of the displayunit 1100 as illustrated in FIG. 56B.

Consequently, the user may intuitively recognize that the direction ofthe discharged airflow is being controlled to be horizontal.

On the other hand, when the direction of the airflow is not determinedto be horizontal as a result of the operation S1210, the control unit1094 determines whether the direction of the airflow is middle(operation S1214).

When the direction of the airflow is determined to be in the middle as aresult of the operation S1214, the control unit 1094 turns on the lightsources 1130 a, 1130 b, 1130 c, 1130 d, 1130 e, and 1130 f of the thirdlight-emitting unit 1130 to display the optical pattern in the shape ofa circular band disposed at the middle portion of the display unit 1100(operation S1216). For example, by turning on the light sources 1130 a,1130 b, 1130 c, 1130 d, 1130 e, and 1130 f of the third light-emittingunit 1130, a third circular image 1131 may be displayed between thefirst circular image 1111 and the second circular image 1121 on thedisplay unit 1100 as illustrated in FIG. 56C.

Consequently, the user may intuitively recognize that the direction ofthe discharged airflow is being controlled to be in the middle.

On the other hand, when the direction of the airflow is not determinedto be in the middle as a result of the operation S1214, the control unit1094 determines whether the direction of the airflow is automatic(operation S1218).

When the direction of the airflow is determined to be automatic as aresult of the operation S1218, the control unit 1094 sequentially turnson the light sources 1110 a, 1110 b, 1110 c, 1110 d, 1110 e, and 1110 fof the first light-emitting unit 1110, the light sources 1120 a, 1120 b,1120 c, 1120 d, 1120 e, 1120 f, 1120 g, 1120 h, and 1120 i of the secondlight-emitting unit 1120, and the light sources 1130 a, 1130 b, 1130 c,1130 d, 1130 e, and 1130 f of the third light-emitting unit 1130 fromthe inner portion to the outer portion or from the outer portion to theinner portion to animate a progression of the optical pattern in theshape of a circular band from the inner portion of the display unit 1100toward the optical pattern in the shape of a circular band at the edgeportion of the display unit 1100 (operation S1220).

Consequently, the user may intuitively recognize that the direction ofthe discharged airflow is being controlled to be automatic.

In this manner, the display unit 1100 visualizes the direction of thedischarged airflow in accordance with the direction of the airflow toallow the user to intuitively recognize the direction of the dischargedairflow even in the indoor unit 1000 of the air conditioner without ablade.

Then, the control unit 1094 determines whether the power is turned off(operation S1222), and when the power is not turned off, controls theauxiliary fan 1060 to control the direction of the discharged airflow inaccordance with the set direction and controls the display unit 1100 tovisually display the direction of the discharged airflow.

When the power is determined to be turned off as a result of theoperation S1222, the control unit 1094 ends the operation by stoppingoperations of all loads on the indoor unit 1000 of the air conditioner.

Meanwhile, although the direction of the airflow has been described inthe embodiment of the present disclosure as being implemented with avertical airflow, a horizontal airflow, a mid-airflow, or an automaticairflow, the present disclosure is not limited thereto and morelight-emitting units may be disposed at the display unit 1100 tovisually express airflow directions when the airflow directions arefurther subdivided. The number and the arrangement of the light-emittingunits disposed at the display unit 1100 may be designed in various ways.

In addition, the display unit 1100 may visualize the airflow circulationmode described above. For example, when the plurality of auxiliary fans1060 include an auxiliary fan A, an auxiliary fan B, and an auxiliaryfan C, the display unit 1100 may display an airflow direction due toeach of the auxiliary fan A, the auxiliary fan B, and the auxiliary fanC.

FIGS. 57A, 57B and 57C illustrate an example of a direction of adischarged airflow visually expressed by an air conditioner according toan embodiment.

As illustrated in FIGS. 57A, 57B and 57C, in order to visualize theairflow circulation mode, the first, second, and third circular images1111, 1121, and 1131 displayed on the display unit 1100 may be dividedinto a plurality of arc-shaped images 1111 a, 1111 b, 1111 c, 1121 a,1121 b, 1121 c, 1131 a, 1131 b, and 1131 c.

The first circular image 1111 may be divided into the first arc-shapedimage A (1111 a), the first arc-shaped image B (1111 b), and the firstarc-shaped image C (1111 c), and the second circular image 1121 may bedivided into the second arc-shaped image A (1121 a), the secondarc-shaped image B (1121 b), and the second arc-shaped image C (1121 c).Also, the third circular image 1131 may be divided into the thirdarc-shaped image A (1131 a), the third arc-shaped image B (1131 b), andthe third arc-shaped image C (1131 c).

Here, the first arc-shaped image A (1111 a), the first arc-shaped imageB (1111 b), and the first arc-shaped image C (1111 c) may represent avertical airflow, the second arc-shaped image A (1121 a), the secondarc-shaped image B (1121 b), and the second arc-shaped image C (1121 c)may represent a horizontal airflow, and the third arc-shaped image A(1131 a), the third arc-shaped image B (1131 b), and the thirdarc-shaped image C (1131 c) may represent a mid-airflow.

In addition, the first arc-shaped image A (1111 a), the secondarc-shaped image A (1121 a), and the third arc-shaped image A (1131 a)may visualize an airflow direction due to the auxiliary fan A, and thefirst arc-shaped image B (1111 b), the second arc-shaped image B (1121b), and the third arc-shaped image B (1131 b) may visualize an airflowdirection due to the auxiliary fan B. The first arc-shaped image C (1111c), the second arc-shaped image C (1121 c), and the third arc-shapedimage C (1131 c) may visualize an airflow direction due to the auxiliaryfan C.

When a vertical airflow is generated by the auxiliary fan A, ahorizontal airflow is generated by the auxiliary fan B, and amid-airflow is generated by the auxiliary fan C, as illustrated in FIG.57A, the first arc-shaped image A (1111 a) representing the verticalairflow due to the auxiliary fan A, the second arc-shaped image B (1121b) representing the horizontal airflow due to the auxiliary fan B, andthe third arc-shaped image C (1131 c) representing the mid-airflow dueto the auxiliary fan C may be displayed on the display unit 1100. Inaddition, the first light source A (1110 a) and the first light source B(1110 b) of the first light-emitting unit 1110 illustrated in FIG. 46may be turned on to display the first arc-shaped image A (1111 a), thesecond light source C (1120 c) and the second light source D (1120 d) ofthe second light-emitting unit 1120 may be turned on to display thesecond arc-shaped image B (1121 b), and the third light source E (1130e) and the third light source F (1130 f) of the third light-emittingunit 1130 may be turned on to display the third arc-shaped image C (1131c).

When a mid-airflow is generated by the auxiliary fan A, a verticalairflow is generated by the auxiliary fan B, and a horizontal airflow isgenerated by the auxiliary fan C, as illustrated in FIG. 57B, the thirdarc-shaped image A (1131 a) representing the mid-airflow due to theauxiliary fan A, the first arc-shaped image B (1111 b) representing thevertical airflow due to the auxiliary fan B, and the second arc-shapedimage C (1121 c) representing the horizontal airflow due to theauxiliary fan C may be displayed on the display unit 1100. In addition,the third light source A (1130 a) and the third light source B (1130 b)of the third light-emitting unit 1130 illustrated in FIG. 46 may beturned on to display the third arc-shaped image A (1131 a), the firstlight source C (1110 c) and the first light source D (1110 d) of thefirst light-emitting unit 1110 may be turned on to display the firstarc-shaped image B (1111 b), and the second light source E (1120 e) andthe second light source F (1120 f) of the second light-emitting unit1120 may be turned on to display the second arc-shaped image C (1121 c).

When a horizontal airflow is generated by the auxiliary fan A, amid-airflow is generated by the auxiliary fan B, and a vertical airflowis generated by the auxiliary fan C, as illustrated in FIG. 57C, thesecond arc-shaped image A (1121 a) representing the horizontal airflowdue to the auxiliary fan A, the third arc-shaped image B (1131 b)representing the mid-airflow due to the auxiliary fan B, and the firstarc-shaped image C (1111 c) representing the vertical airflow due to theauxiliary fan C may be displayed on the display unit 1100. In addition,the second light source A (1120 a) and the second light source B (1120b) of the second light-emitting unit 1120 illustrated in FIG. 46 may beturned on to display the second arc-shaped image A (1121 a), the thirdlight source C (1130 c) and the third light source D (1130 d) of thethird light-emitting unit 1130 may be turned on to display the thirdarc-shaped image B (1131 b), and the first light source E (1110 e) andthe first light source F (1110 f) of the first light-emitting unit 1110may be turned on to display the first arc-shaped image C (1111 c).

As described above, in the airflow circulation mode, the display unit1100 may display the first arc-shaped images A, B, and C (1111 a, 1111b, and 1111 c), the second arc-shaped images A, B, and C (1121 a, 1121b, and 1121 c), and the third arc-shaped images A, B, and C (1131 a,1131 b, and 1131 c) in accordance with the airflow directions due to theauxiliary fans A, B, and C.

However, the visualizing of the airflow circulation mode is not limitedto the method described above. For example, in order to visualize theairflow circulation mode itself instead of visualizing the airflowdirections due to the auxiliary fans A, B, and C, the first, second, andthird arc-shaped images A (1111 a, 1121 a, 1131 a) may be displayedfirst, the first, second, and third arc-shaped images B (1111 b, 1121 b,1131 b) may be displayed next, and then the first, second, and thirdarc-shaped images C (1111 c, 1121 c, 1131 c) may be displayed. As aresult, the display unit 1100 may display a rotating fan-shaped image.

Next, a method of visually expressing the strength of a dischargedairflow will be described.

FIG. 58 is a perspective view illustrating an indoor unit of an airconditioner according to an embodiment, and FIG. 59 is an operation flowchart illustrating a control algorithm for visually expressing thestrength of a discharged airflow in the air conditioner according to theembodiment. Like reference numerals and like names will be used forparts which are the same as those in FIG. 40 to omit overlappingdescription thereof.

In FIG. 58, the display unit 1100 may further include an auxiliarydisplay 1150 capable of visually expressing the strength of a dischargedairflow using an LED, etc.

The auxiliary display 1150 may include first source 1150 a, second lightsource 1150 b, third light source 1150 c, fourth light source 1150 d,and fifth light source 1150 e disposed in the arc shape on an outersurface of the display unit 1100 and use the first to fifth lightsources 1150 a, 1150 b, 1150 c, 1150 d, and 1150 e to visually expressthe strength of a discharged airflow.

For example, when the strength of an airflow is strong, all of the firstto fifth light sources 1150 a, 1150 b, 1150 c, 1150 d, and 1150 e of theauxiliary display 1150 may be turned on to display that the strength ofthe discharged airflow is being controlled to be strong.

In addition, when the strength of an airflow is medium, the first lightsource 1150 a, the second light source 1150 b, and the third lightsource 1150 c among the first to fifth light sources 1150 a, 1150 b,1150 c, 1150 d, and 1150 e of the auxiliary display 1150 may be turnedon to display that the strength of the discharged airflow is beingcontrolled to be medium.

In addition, when the strength of an airflow is weak, only the firstlight source 1150 a among the first to fifth light sources 1150 a, 1150b, 1150 c, 1150 d, and 1150 e of the auxiliary display 1150 may beturned on to display that the strength of the discharged airflow isbeing controlled to be weak.

Meanwhile, although visually expressing the strength of a dischargedairflow by controlling the number of the light sources turned on up tothe fifth light source 1150 e from the first light source 1150 a of theauxiliary display 1150 has been described as an example in thisembodiment, embodiments are not limited thereto, and the strength of adischarged airflow may be visually expressed also by controlling thenumber of the light sources 1150 a, 1150 b, 1150 c, 1150 d, and 1150 eturned on up to the first light source 1150 a or the fifth light source1150 e from the third light source 1150 c of the auxiliary display 1150.

This may be described in more detail as follows.

First, when the strength of an airflow is strong, all of the first tofifth light sources 1150 a, 1150 b, 1150 c, 1150 d, and 1150 e of theauxiliary display 1150 may be turned on to display that the strength ofthe discharged airflow is being controlled to be strong.

In addition, when the strength of an airflow is medium, the second lightsource 1150 b, the third light source 1150 c, and the fourth lightsource 1150 d among the first to fifth light sources 1150 a, 1150 b,1150 c, 1150 d, and 1150 e of the auxiliary display 1150 may be turnedon to display that the strength of the discharged airflow is beingcontrolled to be medium.

In addition, when the strength of an airflow is weak, only the thirdlight source 1150 c among the first to fifth light sources 1150 a, 1150b, 1150 c, 1150 d, and 1150 e of the auxiliary display 1150 may beturned on to display that the strength of the discharged airflow isbeing controlled to be weak.

In FIG. 59, the user manipulates the input device 1090 to set operationinformation including an operation mode (e.g. cooling or heatingoperation) of the indoor unit 1000 of the air conditioner, a targetindoor temperature, the strength of a discharged airflow, etc.(operation S1300). The operation information set by the user via theinput device 1090 is transmitted to the control unit 1094.

Consequently, the control unit 1094 receives the various types ofoperation information from the input device 1090 and determines whetherthe power of the indoor unit 1000 is turned on in order to control theoverall operation of the indoor unit 1000 based on the receivedinformation (operation S1302).

When the power of the indoor unit 1000 is determined to be turned on asa result of the operation S1302, the control unit 1094 transmits adriving control signal to the driving unit 1098 in order to control thestrength of the discharged airflow in accordance with the set strength.

The driving unit 1098 may control driving and speed of the blower motor1041 in accordance with the driving control signal from the control unit1094 to control the amount of air drawn around the discharge port 1021and control the strength of the discharged airflow (operation S1304).

The control unit 1094 determines whether the strength of the airflow isstrong in order to visually display the strength of the dischargedairflow (operation S1306).

When the strength of the airflow is determined to be strong as a resultof the operation S1306, the control unit 1094 turns on all of the firstto fifth light sources 1150 a, 1150 b, 1150 c, 1150 d, and 1150 e of theauxiliary display 1150 to display that the strength of the dischargedairflow is being controlled to be strong (operation S1308).

Consequently, the user may intuitively recognize that the strength ofthe discharged airflow is being controlled to be strong.

On the other hand, when the strength of the airflow is not determined tobe strong as a result of the operation S1306, the control unit 1094determines whether the strength of the airflow is medium (operationS1310).

When the strength of the airflow is determined to be medium as a resultof the operation S1310, the control unit 1094 turns on the first lightsource 1150 a, the second light source 1150 b, and the third lightsource 1150 c of the auxiliary display 1150 to display that the strengthof the discharged airflow is being controlled to be medium (operationS1312).

Consequently, the user may intuitively recognize that the strength ofthe discharged airflow is being controlled to be medium.

On the other hand, when the strength of the airflow is not determined tobe medium as a result of the operation S1310, the control unit 1094determines whether the strength of the airflow is weak (operationS1314).

When the strength of the airflow is determined to be weak as a result ofthe operation S1314, the control unit 1094 turns on only the first lightsource 1150 a of the auxiliary display 1150 to display that the strengthof the discharged airflow is being controlled to be weak (operationS1316).

Consequently, the user may intuitively recognize that the strength ofthe discharged airflow is being controlled to be weak.

In this manner, the auxiliary display 1150 visualizes the strength ofthe discharged airflow in accordance with the strength of the airflow toallow the user to intuitively recognize the strength of the dischargedairflow even in the indoor unit 1000 of the air conditioner without ablade.

Then, the control unit 1094 determines whether the power is turned off(operation S1322), and when the power is not turned off, controls themain fan 1040 to control the strength of the discharged airflow inaccordance with the set strength and controls the auxiliary display 1150to visually display the strength of the discharged airflow.

When the power is determined to be turned off as a result of theoperation S1322, the control unit 1094 ends the operation while stoppingoperations of all loads on the indoor unit 1000 of the air conditioner.

Meanwhile, although the strength of the airflow has been described inthe embodiment of the present disclosure as being implemented with astrong airflow, a medium airflow, or a weak airflow, the presentdisclosure is not limited thereto and more light sources (LEDs) may bedisposed at the auxiliary display 1150 to visually express airflowstrengths when the airflow strengths are further subdivided. The numberand the arrangement of the light sources (LEDs) disposed at theauxiliary display 1150 may be designed in various ways.

Next, a method of visually expressing not only the direction of adischarged airflow but also the strength of the discharged airflow willbe described.

FIGS. 60A and 60B are operation flow charts illustrating a first controlalgorithm for visually expressing the direction and the strength of adischarged airflow in the air conditioner according an embodiment.

In the FIGS. 60A and 60B, the user manipulates the input device 1090 toset operation information including an operation mode (e.g. cooling orheating operation) of the indoor unit 1000 of the air conditioner, atarget indoor temperature, the direction and the strength of adischarged airflow, etc. (operation S1400). The operation informationset by the user via the input device 1090 is transmitted to the controlunit 1094.

Consequently, the control unit 1094 receives the various types ofoperation information from the input device 1090 and determines whetherthe power of the indoor unit 1000 is turned on in order to control theoverall operation of the indoor unit 1000 based on the receivedinformation (operation S1402).

When the power of the indoor unit 1000 is determined to be turned on asa result of the operation S1402, the control unit 1094 transmits adriving control signal to the driving unit 1098 in order to control thedirection and the strength of the discharged airflow in accordance withthe set direction and strength.

The driving unit 1098 may control driving and speed of the blower motor1041 and the airflow control motor 1061 in accordance with the drivingcontrol signal from the control unit 1094 to control the amount of airdrawn around the discharge port 1021 and control the direction and thestrength of the discharged airflow (operation S1404).

First, the control unit 1094 determines whether the direction of theairflow is vertical in order to visually display the direction of thedischarged airflow (operation S1406).

When the direction of the airflow is determined to be vertical as aresult of the operation S1406, the control unit 1094 turns on the lightsources 1110 a, 1110 b, 1110 c, 1110 d, 1110 e, and 1110 f of the firstlight-emitting unit 1110 to display the optical pattern in the shape ofa circular band disposed at the inner portion of the display unit 1100(operation S1408).

On the other hand, when the direction of the airflow is not determinedto be vertical as a result of the operation S1406, the control unit 1094determines whether the direction of the airflow is horizontal (operationS1410).

When the direction of the airflow is determined to be horizontal as aresult of the operation S1410, the control unit 1094 turns on the lightsources 1120 a, 1120 b, 1120 c, 1120 d, 1120 e, 1120 f, 1120 g, 1120 h,and 1120 i of the second light-emitting unit 1120 to display the opticalpattern in the shape of a circular band disposed at the edge portion ofthe display unit 1100 (operation S1412).

On the other hand, when the direction of the airflow is not determinedto be horizontal as a result of the operation S1410, the control unit1094 determines whether the direction of the airflow is middle(operation S1414).

When the direction of the airflow is determined to be in the middle as aresult of the operation S1414, the control unit 1094 turns on the lightsources 1130 a, 1130 b, 1130 c, 1130 d, 1130 e, and 1130 f of the thirdlight-emitting unit 1130 to display the optical pattern in the shape ofa circular band disposed at the middle portion of the display unit 1100(operation S1416).

On the other hand, when the direction of the airflow is not determinedto be in the middle as a result of the operation S1414, the control unit1094 determines whether the direction of the airflow is automatic(operation S1418).

When the direction of the airflow is determined to be automatic as aresult of the operation S1418, the control unit 1094 sequentially turnson the light sources 1110 a, 1110 b, 1110 c, 1110 d, 1110 e, and 1110 fof the first light-emitting unit 1110, the light sources 1120 a, 1120 b,1120 c, 1120 d, 1120 e, 1120 f, 1120 g, 1120 h, and 1120 i of the secondlight-emitting unit 1120, and the light sources 1130 a, 1130 b, 1130 c,1130 d, 1130 e, and 1130 f of the third light-emitting unit 1130 fromthe inner portion to the outer portion or from the outer portion to theinner portion to animate a progression of the optical pattern in theshape of a circular band from the inner portion of the display unit 1100toward the optical pattern in the shape of a circular band at the edgeportion of the display unit 1100 (operation S1420).

In this manner, the display unit 1100 visualizes the direction of thedischarged airflow in accordance with the direction of the airflow toallow the user to intuitively recognize the direction of the dischargedairflow even in the indoor unit 1000 of the air conditioner without ablade.

Then, the control unit 1094 determines whether the strength of theairflow is strong in order to visually display the strength of thedischarged airflow (operation S1422).

When the strength of the airflow is determined to be strong as a resultof the operation S1422, the control unit 1094 turns on all of the firstto fifth light sources 1150 a, 1150 b, 1150 c, 1150 d, and 1150 e of theauxiliary display 1150 to display that the strength of the dischargedairflow is being controlled to be strong (operation S1424).

On the other hand, when the strength of the airflow is not determined tobe strong as a result of the operation S1422, the control unit 1094determines whether the strength of the airflow is medium (operationS1426).

When the strength of the airflow is determined to be medium as a resultof the operation S1426, the control unit 1094 turns on the first lightsource 1150 a, the second light source 1150 b, and the third lightsource 1150 c of the auxiliary display 1150 to display that the strengthof the discharged airflow is being controlled to be medium (operationS1428).

On the other hand, when the strength of the airflow is not determined tobe medium as a result of the operation S1428, the control unit 1094determines whether the strength of the airflow is weak (operationS1430).

When the strength of the airflow is determined to be weak as a result ofthe operation S1430, the control unit 1094 turns on only the first lightsource 1150 a of the auxiliary display 1150 to display that the strengthof the discharged airflow is being controlled to be weak (operationS1432).

In this manner, the auxiliary display 1150 visualizes the strength ofthe discharged airflow in accordance with the strength of the airflow toallow the user to intuitively recognize the strength of the dischargedairflow even in the indoor unit 1000 of the air conditioner without ablade.

Then, the control unit 1094 determines whether the power is turned off(operation S1434) and, when the power is not turned off, controls themain fan 1040 and the auxiliary fan 1060 to control the direction andthe strength of the discharged airflow in accordance with the setdirection and strength and controls the display unit 1100 and theauxiliary display 1150 to visually display the direction and thestrength of the discharged airflow.

When the power is determined to be turned off as a result of theoperation S1434, the control unit 1094 ends the operation while stoppingoperations of all loads on the indoor unit 1000 of the air conditioner.

Next, another method of visually expressing not only a direction of adischarged airflow but also the strength of the discharged airflow willbe described.

FIGS. 61A and 61B are operation flow charts illustrating a secondcontrol algorithm for visually expressing the direction and the strengthof a discharged airflow in the air conditioner according an embodiment.

In the FIGS. 61A and 61B, the user manipulates the input device 1090 toset operation information including an operation mode (e.g. cooling orheating operation) of the indoor unit 1000 of the air conditioner, atarget indoor temperature, the direction of a discharged airflow, etc.(operation S1500). The operation information set by the user via theinput device 1090 is transmitted to the control unit 1094.

Consequently, the control unit 1094 receives the various types ofoperation information from the input device 1090 and determines whetherthe power of the indoor unit 1000 is turned on in order to control theoverall operation of the indoor unit 1000 based on the receivedinformation (operation S1502).

When the power of the indoor unit 1000 is determined to be turned on asa result of the operation S1502, the control unit 1094 transmits adriving control signal to the driving unit 1098 in order to control thedirection of the discharged airflow in accordance with the setdirection.

The driving unit 1098 may control driving and speed of the airflowcontrol motor 1061 in accordance with the driving control signal fromthe control unit 1094 to control the amount of air drawn around thedischarge port 1021 and control the direction of the discharged airflow(operation S1504).

In addition, the control unit 1094 determines whether the direction ofthe airflow is vertical in order to visually display the direction ofthe discharged airflow (operation S1506).

When the direction of the airflow is determined to be vertical as aresult of the operation S1506, the control unit 1094 turns on the lightsources 1110 a, 1110 b, 1110 c, 1110 d, 1110 e, and 1110 f of the firstlight-emitting unit 1110 to display the optical pattern in the shape ofa circular band disposed at the inner portion of the display unit 1100(operation S1508).

On the other hand, when the direction of the airflow is not determinedto be vertical as a result of the operation S1506, the control unit 1094determines whether the direction of the airflow is horizontal (operationS1510).

When the direction of the airflow is determined to be horizontal as aresult of the operation S1510, the control unit 1094 turns on the lightsources 1120 a, 1120 b, 1120 c, 1120 d, 1120 e, 1120 f, 1120 g, 1120 h,and 1120 i of the second light-emitting unit 1120 to display the opticalpattern in the shape of a circular band disposed at the edge portion ofthe display unit 1100 (operation S1512).

On the other hand, when the direction of the airflow is not determinedto be horizontal as a result of the operation S1510, the control unit1094 determines whether the direction of the airflow is middle(operation S1514).

When the direction of the airflow is determined to be in the middle as aresult of the operation S1514, the control unit 1094 turns on the lightsources 1130 a, 1130 b, 1130 c, 1130 d, 1130 e, and 1130 f of the thirdlight-emitting unit 1130 to display the optical pattern in the shape ofa circular band disposed at the middle portion of the display unit 1100(operation S1516).

On the other hand, when the direction of the airflow is not determinedto be in the middle as a result of the operation S1514, the control unit1094 determines whether the direction of the airflow is automatic(operation S1518).

When the direction of the airflow is determined to be automatic as aresult of the operation S1518, the control unit 1094 sequentially turnson the light sources 1110 a, 1110 b, 1110 c, 1110 d, 1110 e, and 1110 fof the first light-emitting unit 1110, the light sources 1120 a, 1120 b,1120 c, 1120 d, 1120 e, 1120 f, 1120 g, 1120 h, and 1120 i of the secondlight-emitting unit 1120, and the light sources 1130 a, 1130 b, 1130 c,1130 d, 1130 e, and 1130 f of the third light-emitting unit 1130 fromthe inner portion to the outer portion or from the outer portion to theinner portion to animate a progression of the optical pattern in theshape of a circular band from the inner portion of the display unit 1100toward the optical pattern in the shape of a circular band at the edgeportion of the display unit 1100 (operation S1520).

In this manner, when the user manipulates the input device 1090 to setthe strength of the discharged airflow while visually checking thedirection of the discharged airflow via the display unit 1100 (operationS1522), the control unit 1094 transmits a driving control signal to thedriving unit 1098 in order to control the strength of the dischargedairflow in accordance with the set strength.

The driving unit 1098 may control driving and speed of the blower motor1041 in accordance with the driving control signal from the control unit1094 to control the amount of air drawn around the discharge port 1021and control the strength of the discharged airflow (operation S1524).

Then, the control unit 1094 determines whether the strength of theairflow is strong in order to visually display the strength of thedischarged airflow (operation S1526).

When the strength of the airflow is determined to be strong as a resultof the operation S1526, the control unit 1094 turns on all of the firstto fifth light sources 1150 a, 1150 b, 1150 c, 1150 d, and 1150 e of theauxiliary display 1150 to display that the strength of the dischargedairflow is being controlled to be strong (operation S1528).

On the other hand, when the strength of the airflow is not determined tobe strong as a result of the operation S1526, the control unit 1094determines whether the strength of the airflow is medium (operationS1530).

When the strength of the airflow is determined to be medium as a resultof the operation S1530, the control unit 1094 turns on the first lightsource 1150 a, the second light source 1150 b, and the third lightsource 1150 c of the auxiliary display 1150 to display that the strengthof the discharged airflow is being controlled to be medium (operationS1532).

On the other hand, when the strength of the airflow is not determined tobe medium as a result of the operation S1530, the control unit 1094determines whether the strength of the airflow is weak (operationS1534).

When the strength of the airflow is determined to be weak as a result ofthe operation S1534, the control unit 1094 turns on only the first lightsource 1150 a of the auxiliary display 1150 to display that the strengthof the discharged airflow is being controlled to be weak (operationS1536).

In this manner, when the user manipulates the input device 1090 to setthe strength of the airflow while visually checking the direction of thedischarged airflow via the display unit 1100, the user may also visuallycheck the strength of the discharged airflow via the auxiliary display1150.

Then, the control unit 1094 determines whether the power is turned off(operation S1538) and, when the power is not turned off, controls themain fan 1040 and the auxiliary fan 1060 to control the direction andthe strength of the discharged airflow in accordance with the setdirection and strength and controls the display unit 1100 and theauxiliary display 1150 to visually display the direction and thestrength of the discharged airflow.

When the power is determined to be turned off as a result of theoperation S1538, the control unit 1094 ends the operation while stoppingoperations of all loads on the indoor unit 1000 of the air conditioner.

Next, still another method of visually expressing not only a directionof a discharged airflow but also the strength of the discharged airflowwill be described.

FIGS. 62A and 62B are operation flow charts illustrating a third controlalgorithm for visually expressing the direction and the strength of adischarged airflow in the air conditioner according another embodiment.

In the FIGS. 62A and 62B, the user manipulates the input device 1090 toset operation information including an operation mode (e.g. cooling orheating operation) of the indoor unit 1000 of the air conditioner, atarget indoor temperature, the strength of a discharged airflow, etc.(operation S1600). The operation information set by the user via theinput device 1090 is transmitted to the control unit 1094.

Consequently, the control unit 1094 receives the various types ofoperation information from the input device 1090 and determines whetherthe power of the indoor unit 1000 is turned on in order to control theoverall operation of the indoor unit 1000 based on the receivedinformation (operation S1602).

When the power of the indoor unit 1000 is determined to be turned on asa result of the operation S1602, the control unit 1094 transmits adriving control signal to the driving unit 1098 in order to control thestrength of the discharged airflow in accordance with the set strength.

The driving unit 1098 may control driving and speed of the blower motor1041 in accordance with the driving control signal from the control unit1094 to control the amount of air drawn around the discharge port 1021and control the strength of the discharged airflow (operation S1604).

The control unit 1094 determines whether the strength of the airflow isstrong in order to visually display the strength of the dischargedairflow (operation S1606).

When the strength of the airflow is determined to be strong as a resultof the operation S1606, the control unit 1094 turns on all of the firstto fifth light sources 1150 a, 1150 b, 1150 c, 1150 d, and 1150 e of theauxiliary display 1150 to display that the strength of the dischargedairflow is being controlled to be strong (operation S1608).

On the other hand, when the strength of the airflow is not determined tobe strong as a result of the operation S1606, the control unit 1094determines whether the strength of the airflow is medium (operationS1610).

When the strength of the airflow is determined to be medium as a resultof the operation S1610, the control unit 1094 turns on the first lightsource 1150 a, the second light source 1150 b, and the third lightsource 1150 c of the auxiliary display 1150 to display that the strengthof the discharged airflow is being controlled to be medium (operationS1612).

On the other hand, when the strength of the airflow is not determined tobe medium as a result of the operation S1610, the control unit 1094determines whether the strength of the airflow is weak (operationS1614).

When the strength of the airflow is determined to be weak as a result ofthe operation S1614, the control unit 1094 turns on only the first lightsource 1150 a of the auxiliary display 1150 to display that the strengthof the discharged airflow is being controlled to be weak (operationS1616).

In this manner, when the user manipulates the input device 1090 to setthe direction of the discharged airflow while visually checking thestrength of the discharged airflow via the auxiliary display 1150(operation S1618), the control unit 1094 transmits a driving controlsignal to the driving unit 1098 in order to control the direction of thedischarged airflow in accordance with the set direction.

The driving unit 1098 may control driving and speed of the airflowcontrol motor 1061 in accordance with the driving control signal fromthe control unit 1094 to control the amount of air drawn around thedischarge port 1021 and control the direction of the discharged airflow(operation S1620).

In addition, the control unit 1094 determines whether the direction ofthe airflow is vertical in order to visually display the direction ofthe discharged airflow (operation S1622).

When the direction of the airflow is determined to be vertical as aresult of the operation S1622, the control unit 1094 turns on the lightsources 1110 a, 1110 b, 1110 c, 1110 d, 1110 e, and 1110 f of the firstlight-emitting unit 1110 to display the optical pattern in the shape ofa circular band disposed at the inner portion of the display unit 1100(operation S1624).

On the other hand, when the direction of the airflow is not determinedto be vertical as a result of the operation S1622, the control unit 1094determines whether the direction of the airflow is horizontal (operationS1626).

When the direction of the airflow is determined to be horizontal as aresult of the operation S1626, the control unit 1094 turns on the lightsources 1120 a, 1120 b, 1120 c, 1120 d, 1120 e, 1120 f, 1120 g, 1120 h,and 1120 i of the second light-emitting unit 1120 to display the opticalpattern in the shape of a circular band disposed at the edge portion ofthe display unit 1100 (operation S1628).

On the other hand, when the direction of the airflow is not determinedto be horizontal as a result of the operation S1626, the control unit1094 determines whether the direction of the airflow is middle(operation S1630).

When the direction of the airflow is determined to be in the middle as aresult of the operation S1630, the control unit 1094 turns on the lightsources 1130 a, 1130 b, 1130 c, 1130 d, 1130 e, and 1130 f of the thirdlight-emitting unit 1130 to display the optical pattern in the shape ofa circular band disposed at the middle portion of the display unit 1100(operation S1632).

On the other hand, when the direction of the airflow is not determinedto be in the middle as a result of the operation S1630, the control unit1094 determines whether the direction of the airflow is automatic(operation S1634).

When the direction of the airflow is determined to be automatic as aresult of the operation S1634, the control unit 1094 sequentially turnson the light sources 1110 a, 1110 b, 1110 c, 1110 d, 1110 e, and 1110 fof the first light-emitting unit 1110, the light sources 1120 a, 1120 b,1120 c, 1120 d, 1120 e, 1120 f, 1120 g, 1120 h, and 1120 i of the secondlight-emitting unit 1120, and the light sources 1130 a, 1130 b, 1130 c,1130 d, 1130 e, and 1130 f of the third light-emitting unit 1130 fromthe inner portion to the outer portion or from the outer portion to theinner portion to animate a progression of the optical pattern in theshape of a circular band from the inner portion of the display unit 1100toward the optical pattern in the shape of a circular band at the edgeportion of the display unit 1100 (operation S1636).

In this manner, when the user manipulates the input device 1090 to setthe direction of the airflow while visually checking the strength of thedischarged airflow via the auxiliary display 1150, the user may alsovisually check the direction of the discharged airflow via the displayunit 1100.

Then, the control unit 1094 determines whether the power is turned off(operation S1638), and when the power is not turned off, controls themain fan 1040 and the auxiliary fan 1060 to control the direction andthe strength of the discharged airflow in accordance with the setdirection and strength and controls the display unit 1100 and theauxiliary display 1150 to visually display the direction and thestrength of the discharged airflow.

When the power is determined to be turned off as a result of theoperation S1638, the control unit 1094 ends the operation while stoppingoperations of all loads on the indoor unit 1000 of the air conditioner.

Although implementing the display unit 1100 that visually expresses adirection of a discharged airflow with an optical pattern in the shapeof a circular band has been described as an example above, embodimentsare not limited thereto and the direction of the discharged airflow maybe shown with an optical shape in the shape of a rod-like band.

Hereinafter, various display units that visually express a direction ofa discharged airflow will be described.

FIG. 63 is a perspective view illustrating an indoor unit of an airconditioner according to an embodiment. Like reference numerals and likenames will be used for parts which are the same as those in FIG. 40 toomit overlapping description thereof.

In FIG. 63, a display unit 1160 is a lighting device having a pluralityof light-emitting units formed in the shape of a rod-like band and maydisplay directions of a discharged airflow controlled in variousdirections.

The display unit 1160 includes a first light-emitting unit 1161 todisplay a state in which the direction of the discharged airflow iscontrolled to be vertical, a second light-emitting unit 1162 to displaya state in which the direction of the discharged airflow is controlledto be horizontal, and a third light-emitting unit 1163 to display astate in which the direction of the discharged airflow is controlled tobe in the middle which is the middle between the horizontal airflow andthe vertical airflow.

To display the state in which the direction of the discharged airflow iscontrolled to be vertical, the first light-emitting unit 1161 mayinclude a plurality (approximately three) of light sources 1161 a, 1161b, and 1161 c to visually express an optical pattern in the shape of arod-like band disposed at an inner portion of the display unit 1160.

To display the state in which the direction of the discharged airflow iscontrolled to be horizontal, the second light-emitting unit 1162 mayinclude a plurality (approximately three) of light sources 1162 a, 1162b, and 1162 c to visually express an optical pattern in the shape of arod-like band disposed at an edge portion of the display unit 1160.

To display the state in which the direction of the discharged airflow iscontrolled to be in the middle which is the middle between thehorizontal airflow and the vertical airflow, the third light-emittingunit 1163 may include a plurality (approximately three) of light sources1163 a, 1163 b, and 1163 c to visually express an optical pattern in theshape of a rod-like band disposed at the middle between the firstlight-emitting unit 1161 and the second light-emitting unit 1162.

Here, of course the number and the arrangement of the light sources 1161a, 1161 b, and 1161 c, 1162 a, 1162 b, and 1162 c, and 1163 a, 1163 b,and 1163 c disposed at each of the first light-emitting unit 1161 to thethird light-emitting unit 1163 may be designed in various ways.

By the above structure, the first light-emitting unit 1161 to the thirdlight-emitting unit 1163 may turn on or turn off the plurality of lightsources 1161 a, 1161 b, and 1161 c, 1162 a, 1162 b, and 1162 c, and 1163a, 1163 b, and 1163 c disposed at each of the first light-emitting unit1161 to the third light-emitting unit 1163 to display whether thedirection of the airflow discharged from the indoor unit 1000 of the airconditioner is vertical, horizontal, or middle.

In addition, the display unit 1160 may also sequentially turn on thefirst light-emitting unit 1161 to the third light-emitting unit 1163from the inner portion to the outer portion or from the outer portion tothe inner portion to display a state in which the direction of theairflow is controlled to be automatic.

FIG. 64 is a perspective view illustrating an indoor unit of an airconditioner according to an embodiment. Like reference numerals and likenames will be used for parts which are the same as those in FIG. 40 toomit overlapping description thereof.

In FIG. 64, a display unit 1170 is a hemispherical lighting devicehaving a plurality of light-emitting units formed in the shape of acircular band and may display directions of a discharged airflowcontrolled in various directions.

That is, the display unit 1170 includes a first light-emitting unit 1171and a second light-emitting unit 1172 to display a state in which thedirection of the discharged airflow is controlled to be vertical, athird light-emitting unit 1173 to display a state in which the directionof the discharged airflow is controlled to be in the middle, and afourth light-emitting unit 1174 and a fifth light-emitting unit 1175 todisplay a state in which the direction of the discharged airflow iscontrolled to be horizontal.

To display the state in which the direction of the discharged airflow iscontrolled to be vertical, the first light-emitting unit 1171 and thesecond light-emitting unit 1172 may visually express two opticalpatterns in the shape of a circular band disposed at an inner portion ofthe display unit 1170. The first light-emitting unit 1171 and the secondlight-emitting unit 1172 may include a plurality of light sources(LEDs).

To display the state in which the direction of the discharged airflow iscontrolled to be in the middle, the third light-emitting unit 1173 mayvisually express one optical pattern in the shape of a circular banddisposed at a middle portion of the display unit 1170. The thirdlight-emitting unit 1173 may include a plurality of light sources(LEDs).

To display the state in which the direction of the discharged airflow iscontrolled to be horizontal, the fourth light-emitting unit 1174 and thefifth light-emitting unit 1175 may visually express two optical patternsin the shape of a circular band disposed at the outer portion of thedisplay unit 1170. The fourth light-emitting unit 1174 and the fifthlight-emitting unit 1175 may include a plurality of light sources(LEDs).

Here, of course the number and the arrangement of the light sources(LEDs) disposed at each of the first light-emitting unit 1171 to thefifth light-emitting unit 1175 may be designed in various ways.

By the above structure, the first light-emitting unit 1171 to the fifthlight-emitting unit 1175 may turn on or turn off the plurality of lightsources (LEDs) disposed therein to display whether the direction of theairflow discharged from the indoor unit 1000 of the air conditioner isvertical, horizontal, or middle.

In addition, the display unit 1170 may also sequentially turn on thefirst light-emitting unit 1171 to the fifth light-emitting unit 1175from the inner portion to the outer portion or from the outer portion tothe inner portion to display a state in which the direction of theairflow is controlled to be automatic.

In addition, the display unit 1170 may further include a sixthlight-emitting unit 1176 to display an operation state or an error stateof the air conditioner.

The sixth light-emitting unit 1176 is a circular light source disposedat the center of the display unit 1170 and may display apower-on/power-off state or an operational error state of the indoorunit 1000 of the air conditioner using various colors of LEDs.

FIG. 65 is a perspective view illustrating an indoor unit of an airconditioner according to an embodiment. Like reference numerals and likenames will be used for parts which are the same as those in FIG. 40 toomit overlapping description thereof.

In FIG. 65, a display unit 1180 is a lighting device having a pluralityof light-emitting units formed in the shape of a rod-like band and maydisplay directions of a discharged airflow controlled in variousdirections.

The display unit 1180 includes a third light-emitting unit 1183 todisplay a state in which the direction of the discharged airflow iscontrolled to be vertical, a first light-emitting unit 1181 and a fifthlight-emitting unit 1185 to display a state in which the direction ofthe discharged airflow is controlled to be horizontal, and a secondlight-emitting unit 1182 and a fourth light-emitting unit 1184 todisplay a state in which the direction of the discharged airflow iscontrolled to be in the middle.

To display the state in which the direction of the discharged airflow iscontrolled to be vertical, the third light-emitting unit 1183 mayinclude a plurality (approximately three) of light sources 1183 a, 1183b, and 1183 c to visually express one optical pattern in the shape of arod-like band disposed at an inner portion of the display unit 1180.

To display the state in which the direction of the discharged airflow iscontrolled to be horizontal, the first light-emitting unit 1181 and thefifth light-emitting unit 1185 may each include a plurality of lightsources 1181 a, 1181 b, and 1181 c, and 1185 a, 1185 b, and 1185 c tovisually express two optical patterns in the shape of a rod-like banddisposed at the outer portion of the display unit 1180.

To display the state in which the direction of the discharged airflow iscontrolled to be in the middle, the second light-emitting unit 1182 andthe fourth light-emitting unit 1184 may each include a plurality oflight sources 1182 a, 1182 b, and 1182 c, and 1184 a, 1184 b, and 1184 cto visually express two optical patterns in the shape of a rod-like banddisposed at the middle portion of the display unit 1180.

Here, of course the number and the arrangement of the light sources 1181a, 1181 b, and 1181 c, 1182 a, 1182 b, and 1182 c, 1183 a, 1183 b, and1183 c, 1184 a, 1184 b, and 1184 c, and 1185 a, 1185 b, and 1185 cdisposed at each of the first light-emitting unit 1181 to the fifthlight-emitting unit 1185 may be designed in various ways.

By the above structure, the first light-emitting unit 1181 to the fifthlight-emitting unit 1185 may turn on or turn off the plurality of lightsources 1181 a, 1181 b, and 1181 c, 1182 a, 1182 b, and 1182 c, 1183 a,1183 b, and 1183 c, 1184 a, 1184 b, and 1184 c, and 1185 a, 1185 b, and1185 c disposed at each of the first light-emitting unit 1181 to thefifth light-emitting unit 1185 to display whether the direction of theairflow discharged from the indoor unit 1000 of the air conditioner isvertical, horizontal, or middle.

In addition, the display unit 1180 may also sequentially turn on thefirst light-emitting unit 1181 to the fifth light-emitting unit 1185from the inner portion to the outer portion or from the outer portion tothe inner portion to display a state in which the direction of theairflow is controlled to be automatic.

FIG. 66 is a perspective view illustrating an indoor unit of an airconditioner according to an embodiment. Like reference numerals and likenames will be used for parts which are the same as those in FIG. 40 toomit overlapping description thereof.

In FIG. 66, a first display unit 1191 is a lighting device having aplurality of light-emitting units formed in the shape of a rod-like bandand may display directions of a discharged airflow controlled in variousdirections.

The first display unit 1191 includes a first light-emitting unit 1191 ato display a state in which the direction of the discharged airflow iscontrolled to be vertical, a second light-emitting unit 1191 b todisplay a state in which the direction of the discharged airflow iscontrolled to be horizontal, and a third light-emitting unit 1191 c todisplay a state in which the direction of the discharged airflow iscontrolled to be in the middle.

To display the state in which the direction of the discharged airflow iscontrolled to be vertical, the first light-emitting unit 1191 a mayinclude one light source (LED) to visually express an optical patterndisposed at an inner portion of the display unit 1191.

To display the state in which the direction of the discharged airflow iscontrolled to be horizontal, the second light-emitting unit 1191 b mayinclude one light source (LED) to visually express an optical patterndisposed at an outer portion of the display unit 1191.

To display the state in which the direction of the discharged airflow iscontrolled to be in the middle, the third light-emitting unit 1191 c mayinclude one light source (LED) to visually express an optical patterndisposed at a middle portion of the display unit 1191.

A second display unit 1192 may include first to fifth light sources 1192a, 1192 b, 1192 c, 1192 d, and 1192 e disposed in the shape of arod-like band at one portion of the first display unit 1191 and use thefirst to fifth light sources 1192 a, 1192 b, 1192 c, 1192 d, and 1192 eto visually express the strength of a discharged airflow.

For example, when the strength of the airflow is strong, all of thefirst to fifth light sources 1192 a, 1192 b, 1192 c, 1192 d, and 1192 eof the second display unit 1192 may be turned on to display that thestrength of the discharged airflow is being controlled to be strong.

In addition, when the strength of the airflow is medium, the first tothird light sources 1192 a, 1192 b, and 1192 c among the first to fifthlight sources 1192 a, 1192 b, 1192 c, 1192 d, and 1192 e of the seconddisplay unit 1192 may be turned on to display that the strength of thedischarged airflow is being controlled to be medium.

In addition, when the strength of the airflow is weak, only the firstlight source 1192 a among the first to fifth light sources 1192 a, 1192b, 1192 c, 1192 d, and 1192 e of the second display unit 1192 may beturned on to display that the strength of the discharged airflow isbeing controlled to be weak.

Meanwhile, although visually expressing the strength of a dischargedairflow by controlling the number of the light sources 1192 a, 1192 b,1192 c, 1192 d, and 1192 e turned on up to the fifth light source 1192 ebased on the first light source 1192 a of the second display unit 1192has been described as an example in this embodiment, the presentdisclosure is not limited thereto, and the strength of a dischargedairflow may be visually expressed also by controlling the number of thelight sources 1192 a, 1192 b, 1192 c, 1192 d, and 1192 e turned on up tothe first light source 1192 a or the fifth light source 1192 e from thethird light source 1192 c of the second display unit 1192.

This may be described in more detail as follows.

First, when the strength of an airflow is strong, all of the first tofifth light sources 1192 a, 1192 b, 1192 c, 1192 d, and 1192 e of thesecond display unit 1192 may be turned on to display that the strengthof the discharged airflow is being controlled to be strong.

In addition, when the strength of an airflow is medium, the second tofourth light sources 1192 b, 1192 c, and 1192 d among the first to fifthlight sources 1192 a, 1192 b, 1192 c, 1192 d, and 1192 e of the seconddisplay unit 1192 may be turned on to display that the strength of thedischarged airflow is being controlled to be medium.

In addition, when the strength of an airflow is weak, only the thirdlight source 1192 c among the first to fifth light sources 1192 a, 1192b, 1192 c, 1192 d, and 1192 e of the second display unit 1192 may beturned on to display that the strength of the discharged airflow isbeing controlled to be weak.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, an airflow can beadjusted to be in a direction requested by a user by controlling RPM ofa main fan and an auxiliary fan based on airflow speed information andairflow direction information. Thereby, the user's satisfaction can beimproved.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, an airflow directioncan be maintained even when the amount of air being drawn is reduced dueto dust accumulated at a suctioning side by controlling RPM of anauxiliary fan based on the amount of dust at the suctioning side and RPMof a main fan. Accordingly, the air-conditioning performance can also bemaintained.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a target temperaturecan be maintained without a sense of an airflow by operating in a highspeed mode before the target temperature is reached and operating in anormal mode when the target temperature is reached to make air flowupward during a cooling operation.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, the efficiency ofcooling and heating can be improved by suctioning in some air dischargedduring cooling and heating operations and guiding the air to a heatexchanger.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a discharged airflowcan be directed to a user by controlling RPM of an auxiliary fan basedon information on the position of the user during cooling and heatingoperations. That is, the conditioned air can reach the user.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, comfort can beachieved by suctioning in discharged cold air using an auxiliary fanduring a defrosting operation to prevent the cold air from reaching auser of an indoor space.

Compared to a conventional structure in which a blade is provided in adischarge portion and a discharged airflow is controlled by rotation ofthe blade, according to an aspect of the present disclosure, an indoorunit of an air conditioner can control a discharged airflow even withouta blade structure. Accordingly, because the discharged air is notinterfered by a blade, the amount of discharged air can be increased,and noise of the flowing air can be reduced.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, although a dischargeportion of an indoor unit of a conventional air conditioner can onlyhave a straight shape in order to rotate the blade, according to anaspect of the present disclosure, a discharge portion of an indoor unitof an air conditioner can be formed in a circular shape. Accordingly, ahousing, a heat exchanger, etc. can also be formed in the circularshape, thereby not only improving an esthetic sense by thedifferentiated design but also enabling a natural airflow and reducingloss of pressure when considering that a first fan generally has acircular shape, thus improving cooling or heating performance of the airconditioner as a result.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, an airflow dischargedfrom an indoor unit of an air conditioner to an air-conditioned spacecan be controlled in various forms.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, an effect of rotatingan indoor unit can be achieved even without rotating the indoor unit bycontrolling an airflow discharged from the indoor unit to circulate.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, an air conditioner canfirmly fix a display unit to a housing.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, an air conditioner canfix a display unit to a housing using the fewest possible number ofseparate fixing members.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a display unit can beeasily detached from a housing due to a simple structure of an airconditioner, thereby facilitating maintenance and repair of the displayunit.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a direction of thedischarged airflow can be controlled without a blade, and thus thedischarged air is not interfered by the blade such that the amount ofthe discharged air is increased, thereby improving the performance of anair conditioner and reducing noise of the flowing air caused by aturbulent flow.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a direction of thedischarged airflow is visually expressed using a lamp or alight-emitting diode (LED), etc., thereby enabling a user to intuitivelyrecognize the airflow direction and enabling the user to easily checkthe visually expressed airflow direction in accordance with the user'smanipulation.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, not only the directionof the discharged airflow but also the strength of the airflow and anoperation state, etc. are visually expressed, thereby improving theuser's satisfaction toward the air conditioner.

In the above, although few embodiments of the present disclosure havebeen shown and described, the present disclosure is not limited to theparticular embodiments mentioned above. Various modifications arepossible by those of ordinary skill in the art to which the presentdisclosure pertains without departing from the gist of the claims below,and the modified embodiments cannot be separately construed from thepresent disclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. An air conditioner comprising: a housingincluding a suction port and a discharge port; a main fan configured todraw air into the housing through the suction port and discharge airdrawn into the housing out of the housing through the discharge port; anauxiliary fan configured to draw, into the housing through an inletprovided near the discharge port, at least a portion of air dischargedout of the housing through the discharge port by the main fan; and acontroller configured to, by rotating the auxiliary fan at differentrotational speeds, discharge air out of the housing through thedischarge port by the main fan in different angular directions relativeto the housing, wherein, by rotating the auxiliary fan to draw, throughthe inlet into the housing, the at least a portion of air discharged outof the housing, the controller is configured to pull an airflow of theair discharged out of the housing toward the inlet.
 2. The airconditioner according to claim 1, wherein the controller controls arotational speed of the auxiliary fan in accordance with a rotationalspeed of the main fan.
 3. The air conditioner according to claim 1,further comprising an input interface configured to receive informationrelated to an airflow direction, wherein the controller controls arotational speed of the auxiliary fan in accordance with the receivedinformation related to the airflow direction.
 4. The air conditioneraccording to claim 1, further comprising an input interface configuredto receive information related to an airflow speed, wherein thecontroller controls a rotational speed of the main fan in accordancewith the received information related to the airflow speed and controlsa rotational speed of the auxiliary fan in accordance with therotational speed of the main fan.
 5. The air conditioner according toclaim 1, further comprising an input interface configured to receiveinformation related to an airflow direction and information related toan airflow speed, wherein the controller controls a rotational speed ofthe main fan in accordance with the received information related to theairflow speed, and controls a rotational speed of the auxiliary fan inaccordance with the rotational speed of the main fan and the receivedinformation related to an airflow direction.
 6. The air conditioneraccording to claim 1, further comprising a filter disposed to filter airdrawn into the housing through the suction port to filter out foreignsubstances contained in the air, wherein the controller acquiresinformation related to a degree of blockage of the filter and controls arotational speed of the auxiliary fan in accordance with the acquiredinformation related to the degree of blockage of the filter.
 7. The airconditioner according to claim 1, wherein the controller cyclicallychanges a rotational speed of the auxiliary fan in order to cyclicallychange the angular direction in which air is discharged through thedischarge port.
 8. The air conditioner according to claim 1, furthercomprising a temperature detector disposed to detect an ambienttemperature of the air conditioner, wherein: based on a temperaturedetected by the temperature detector being greater than a targettemperature, the controller controls a rotational speed of the auxiliaryfan to cyclically change the angular direction in which air isdischarged through the discharge port; and based on a temperaturedetected by the temperature detector being less than the targettemperature, the controller controls the rotational speed of theauxiliary fan to maintain the angular direction in which air isdischarged through the discharge port.
 9. The air conditioner accordingto claim 1, further comprising a human body detector disposed to detecta position of a human body, wherein, upon detection of a position of ahuman body by the human body detector, the controller controls arotational speed of the auxiliary fan in accordance with the detectedposition of a human body.
 10. The air conditioner according to claim 1,wherein, during a defrosting operation, the controller stops the mainfan and rotates the auxiliary fan at a predetermined rotational speed.11. An air conditioner comprising: a housing including a suction portand a discharge port; a main fan configured to draw air into the housingthrough the suction port and discharge air drawn into the housing out ofthe housing through the discharge port; a first auxiliary fan and asecond auxiliary fan configured to draw, into the housing respectivelythrough a first inlet and a second inlet provided near the dischargeport, at least a portion of air discharged out of the housing throughthe discharge port by the main fan; and a controller, by rotating thefirst auxiliary fan, configured to change an angular direction, relativeto the housing, in which air is discharged out of the housing by themain fan through the discharge port to a first direction, and byrotating the second auxiliary fan, configured to change an angulardirection, relative to the housing, in which air is discharged out ofthe housing by the main fan through the discharge port to a seconddirection that is different than the first direction, wherein, byrotating the first auxiliary fan and the second auxiliary fan to draw,through the first inlet and the second inlet into the housing, the atleast a portion of air discharged out of the housing, the controller isconfigured to pull an airflow of the air discharged out of the housingtoward the first inlet and the second inlet, respectively.
 12. The airconditioner according to claim 11, wherein the controller rotates thefirst auxiliary fan at a first rotational speed so that air isdischarged in the first direction and rotates the second auxiliary fanat a second rotational speed so that air is discharged in the seconddirection.
 13. The air conditioner according to claim 12, wherein thecontroller changes the rotational speed of the second auxiliary fan fromthe second rotational speed to a fourth rotational speed and changes therotational speed of the first auxiliary fan from the first rotationalspeed to a third rotational speed.
 14. The air conditioner according toclaim 11, wherein the controller alternately controls the first andsecond auxiliary fans while cyclically changing a rotational speed ofthe first auxiliary fan and cyclically changing a rotational speed ofthe second auxiliary fan.
 15. The air conditioner according to claim 11,wherein the controller cyclically changes a rotational speed of thefirst auxiliary fan and cyclically changes a rotational speed of thesecond auxiliary fan while rotating the first and second auxiliary fansat different rotational speeds.
 16. An air conditioner comprising: ahousing including a suction port and a discharge port; a main fanconfigured to draw air into the housing through the suction port anddischarge air drawn into the housing out of the housing through thedischarge port; a first auxiliary fan and a second auxiliary fanconfigured to draw, into the housing respectively through a first inletand a second inlet provided near the discharge port, at least a portionof air discharged out of the housing through the discharge port by themain fan; a display disposed at the housing; and a controller, byrotating the first and second auxiliary fans, configured to change anangular direction, relative to the housing, in which air is dischargedby the main fan out of the housing through the discharge port andconfigured to control the display to indicate the direction in which airis discharged by the main fan out of the housing through the dischargeport, wherein, by rotating the first auxiliary fan and the secondauxiliary fan to draw, through the first inlet and the second inlet intothe housing, the at least a portion of air discharged out of thehousing, the controller is configured to pull an airflow of the airdischarged out of the housing toward the first inlet and the secondinlet, respectively.
 17. The air conditioner according to claim 16,wherein: the display includes a first indicator configured to indicatedischarge of air in a first direction and a second indicator configuredto indicate discharge of air in a second direction, and the controllerturns on at least one of the first and second indicators in accordancewith the direction in which air is discharged.
 18. The air conditioneraccording to claim 16, wherein: the display includes a first indicatorconfigured to indicate discharge of air in a vertical direction and asecond indicator configured to indicate discharge of air in a horizontaldirection, and the first and second indicators have circular shapes ofdifferent radii and are disposed in a radial direction from a referencepoint on the display.
 19. The air conditioner according to claim 16,wherein: the display includes a first indicator configured to indicate adirection in which air is discharged by the first auxiliary fan and asecond indicator configured to indicate a direction in which air isdischarged by the second auxiliary fan, and the first and secondindicators each have an arc shape and each extend in a circumferentialdirection on the display.
 20. The air conditioner according to claim 16,wherein the controller controls the display to indicate a speed at whichair is discharged.